‘Give yourself an uppercut’: Wallabies coach Eddie Jones lashes media ahead of World Cup
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has departed for the World Cup amid an extraordinary outburst fuelled by criticism of his team and the shock resignation of an assistant.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones lashed the “negativity” around his World Cup squad in an extraordinary press conference he called the “worst ever” as they left for France while declaring his staff would “improve” after assistant Brad Davis’s shock decision to quit this week.
Speaking at the airport as the squad flew out on Thursday, Jones addressed the sudden departure of his attack coach, who was only appointed in May and said Davis had left for “family reasons”.
But Jones then went on the attack amid questioning about the selection process and not having as yet spoken to axed veteran Quade Cooper.
Jones, who has taken charge of the Wallabies for a second time and is adamant his team that is winless in four Tests this year can win the World Cup, bristled at the backward thinking he believes has held Australian rugby back.
He said that “no one” thinks the Wallabies can win was only hardening the playing and coaching group to prove all the doubters wrong.
“I can’t believe the level of negativity. You’re so bloody negative about everything,” he told the assembled media pack.
“We’re going off to a World Cup you think we can’t win. You think the selection process is bad because the players complained. We’ll go out there and do our best boys. If you haven’t got anything positive to say, don’t ask.
“I know you blokes think we can’t do any good, so don’t ask any questions. Just be the pessimists you are. Keep Australian rugby where it’s been.
“Complain about players that don’t get selected, keep doing that. I love this negativity, love it, love it. Just tell us we are terrible and we’ll prove you wrong.”
Jones confirmed that Cooper, who was left out of the World Cup squad despite being part of the group that lost back-to-back clashes against the All Blacks amid four losses in the Rugby Championship, hadn’t returned his calls after his non-selection.
Former captain Michael Hooper was also left out as he battles a calf issue.
But Jones dismissed the overlooked players as an issue and said it was time to focus on who was playing
“If the players are unhappy about the selection process so be it,” he said.
“We’re moving on to a new young squad who are going to take Australian rugby forward. “What we’ve had here over the last eight years hasn’t been good enough. I’m disappointed for players but all I can do is ring them.
“If they don’t take the phone call, you can’t talk to them. What do you want me to do?”
The coach concluded the press conference by telling the journalists to “give yourselves uppercuts, boys” when asked about the Akubra hats he and the players were wearing.
“Thanks for the worst press conference I‘ve ever had in world rugby. Worst press conference,” he said.
“Well done, boys. That is the worst I’ve ever seen. Worst I’ve ever seen.”
Despite the tumult, Jones said he was “more confident” of World Cup success.
“I think we have the right squad, we have the right balance of energy and enthusiasm, we have youth on our side, we’re ready to go,” he said.
“I’m much more confident.”
Jones said the matter with Davis came to a head earlier this week and while he didn’t name a replacement, he gave the departing assistant who could join the Queensland Reds amid reports of dissatisfaction with the Wallabies, a subtle clip for walking out on the team.
“There’s an opportunity for us and I think we’ll improve our coaching staff,” Jones said at the airport.
“We had a discussion a couple of nights ago.
“There’s a potential candidate ready to step up now. As I said, I think we’ll improve the coaching staff.”
The Wallabies lost all four games in the Rugby Championship, including back-to-back defeats by New Zealand.
A World Cup warm-up match is scheduled against France this weekend, the last chance to get a victory before the tournament begins in September.