Eddie Jones describes drama between Rugby Australia and NRL as “nonsense”
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones isn’t keen to join Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan’s campaign against rugby league, describing the move as nonsense.
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has described the public war between rugby league and rugby union over Joseph Suaalii – led by outspoken Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan – as “nonsense.”
McLennan has attempted to secure his spluttering sport some much-needed publicity after signing Suaalii by taking constant digs at the NRL.
Despite offering no evidence nor proof, McLennan even suggested last week that Suaalii may be offloaded early because the Roosters have salary cap pressure.
McLennan described Suaalii’s treatment at the Roosters as “nothing short of horrible.”
The comments prompted Roosters coach Trent Robinson to say: “I can imagine that rugby people aren’t excited by the way that has been handled.”
There were other rugby league aligned reports suggesting McLennan “grow up and be a man.”
Jones, a self-confessed NRL admirer, wanted to distance himself from the stoush between McLennan and rugby league.
And Jones appears to be unsettled at having his sport go to war with powerhouse rugby league.
“I try to keep out of all the nonsense in the paper,” Jones told Yahoo Sport Australia.
“But when you’re a good player that (speculation) comes with the territory and you’ve got to be able to cope. You need good people around you.
“It doesn’t really concern me – I’m only concerned with the (2023) World Cup.
“Whatever happens to him post the World Cup; if he comes to rugby in 2024 that‘s fantastic and we’ll see whether he can make the grade.”
Wallaby legend Tim Horan was another taking a more measured approach to Suaalii – and even spoke of his admiration for Robinson.
“Let Joseph keep playing rugby league. They‘re both very good games – rugby league and rugby union – and we’ll be ready for him when he comes,” Horan said.
“Trent‘s a very astute coach and I like the way he talks. Joseph will come when he’s ready and that’ll be at the end of next year.”
Conservative types in rugby claim to be “embarrassed” by McLennan’s behaviour.
Late last month, McLennan claimed NRL scrums were “so lame.” One media report described the comment as “childish.” McLennan also labelled rugby league “thuggish”.
Talking about coach Trent Robinson’s tenure at the Roosters, McLennan said: “I wonder how he can coach in an environment like that when there is such a ruthless attitude towards young players.”
Robinson has won three premierships at Sydney Roosters in the past decade to become one of rugby league’s most successful coaches.
RA is also seeking to sign Broncos star Payne Haas. McLennan claimed Haas could earn $1.2m a year by switching codes – but Haas could earn approximately the same amount by remaining at Brisbane.
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