Sonny Bill Williams destroys Eddie Jones in epic rugby rant

World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams has dropped some all-time truth bombs on departed Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.

Sonny Bill Williams and Eddie Jones. Photos: Getty Images

Eddie Jones, whose second stint as Wallabies coach was an all-time failure, has felt the full wrath of World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams.

Rushed into the Australian set-up in a Rugby World Cup year, Jones produced plenty of headlines and snide comments while achieving precious few results.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. Join now and start streaming instantly >

In fact under his watch the Wallabies failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Linked with the Japanese rugby head coaching job on the eve of the tournament in France, the 63-year-old mocked those reports and repeatedly maintained his commitment to coaching Australia through the 2027 World Cup on home soil.

But he always did it with a caveat or two tucked up his sleeve and duly left in late October, ending a dumpster fire 10 months in charge that leaves Australian rugby at its lowest ebb.

Sonny Bill Williams and Eddie Jones. Photos: Getty Images

Now dual international Williams, who was part of two triumphant World Cup efforts with the All Blacks and was a commentator in France, has vented his true feelings.

“Obviously, he had that meeting (with Japanese rugby),” Williams told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“It says a lot about his character to be honest. It’s comical. I still can’t believe it.

“I saw straight through his antics and his big-talking. This is a bloke who has a track record of burning bridges.

“The things that he’s done … if he was a player, you wouldn’t stand for it. It’s quite nice that they are being held accountable, just like players are.”

Former Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan, the man behind the decision to sack Dave Rennie and bring in Jones, was shown the door this week.

The Wallabies had an all-time shocker at the World Cup. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Williams believes that was also the right move and stated Rennie should never have been dropped in the first place.

“I commend the board on making the decision (to remove McLennan) and not fussing around,” Williams said.

“I called it before the World Cup with Eddie … that it wasn’t the right thing and it backfired tremendously.

“Egos need to be left at the door. The public deserves better and so do these players.

“A lot of people forgot about Dave Rennie’s leadership. Australia beat South Africa twice and came close to New Zealand.”

Adding to Jones’ litany of disastrous episodes during his ill-fated second stint, he bluntly declared experienced trio Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley and Quade Cooper weren’t selected for his World Cup squad because they weren’t good role models.

Ousted Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has gone out swinging, saying he was the victim of a personal campaign…

Dave Rennie says hi.

— ReadingThePlay (@ReadingThePlay) November 20, 2023

“I found those comments disgusting,” Williams said. “I was really upset for those lads.

“The sad thing was that he couldn’t just leave with dignity. He had to leave with some firing shots by calling Hooper, Foley and Quade not role model material. What does that make him?

“I see this as the reset Australian rugby needs. (Rugby Australia chief executive) Phil Waugh is talking about some really good things, especially strategies into Western Sydney.

“As rugby fans we all want to believe in something.

“Transparency is key. With the talent Australia has, something special could happen. I love the idea of bringing everything under the one umbrella from Rugby Australia (via centralisation). “The only way is up.”