Rugby World Cup 2023: Eddie Jones’ constant spin makes it difficult to believe anything he says

There’s no question Eddie Jones is genius coach, but with his record going south, his reluctance to admit things aren’t going well makes anything he says more and more difficult to believe.

Eddie Jones. Picture: Getty Images

As a lifelong follower of cricket, Wallabies coach Eddie Jones understands that spin goes both ways.

One of the constant and most redeeming features about Jones is his boundless confidence.

It’s also one of his most frustrating traits.

No matter how bad things appear, he never deviates from his belief that things will turn out fine.

To his many followers, his staunch self-belief that everything is just fine and dandy is a welcome reassurance, backed up by his phenomenal record as an international rugby coach.

But to his critics, and there’s plenty of those too, his reluctance to admit things aren’t as rosy as he’s making out is a sign he’s either a fool or telling fibs, because his recent record stinks.

The problem now facing Jones is that those lines have become so blurred that no-one is sure which is which anymore.

Eddie Jones has many followers but also many critics in his role as Wallabies coach. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Just consider the way the Wallabies handled the news of Will Skelton’s injury before last weekend’s World Cup loss to Fiji.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out the Australian captain was never going to play.

He didn’t show up to the official team announcement two days before the game.

Then on the eve of the match, he was nowhere to be seen when the rest of the team posed for their official portrait, with his replacements even showing up in their gold jerseys.

And although Skelton arrived at the game with his leg in a moon boot, it was only 90 minutes before kick off when the Wallabies came clean and confirmed he was out for at least the next two matches.

Jones, of course, did not break any rules by withholding the information about his skipper’s injury. Indeed, many people saw it as a clever tactic, to keep the opposition guessing.

But the problem with trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes, is that they don‘t know what to believe anymore.

And that has repercussions for Jones, because the gospel he’s preaching to the game’s faithful is to keep believing in him and his team.

That’s getting harder and harder to do.

After seven matches in charge of the team, the Wallabies have managed one solitary win under Jones – against Georgia.

The Wallabies are staring down the barrell of failing to make it out of the group stake after their loss to Fiji. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Now they are staring down the barrel of failing to make it out of the group stage after their loss to Fiji, though they can still advance if they win their remaining pool games against Wales and Portugal.

Asked what his message to Australia’s worried supporters was, Jones replied: “Get ready for Wales.”

That’s all fine but he also said that before the last game. And the one before that. And all the others before that.

“I don‘t coach for the fans,” Jones said when asked why they should keep believing in him.

“I appreciate all their support, we are doing our absolute best and I apologise it’s my fault. I take full responsibility for it.“

The smoke and mirrors approach has also raised the curly question about whether Jones has lost his Midas touch.

There’s no question he is a genius coach with a long and proven track record of success but his recent numbers show an alarming trend.

Now in his 17th season as an international head coach, his winning strike-rate this year is a paltry 14% - easily the worst of his outstanding career.

His second worst season delivered a 38% win-rate. That was just last year, when he was sacked by England.

That’s one line he would like to see turn.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2023: Eddie Jones’ constant spin makes it difficult to believe anything he says