This year’s test series between England and Australia was laced with tension from the start and one fan has perhaps taken the rivalry slightly too far.
With Johnny Hill’s hair pulling antics in the first test, feisty Australian crowds and Ellis Genge stirring the pot on twitter, the last three weeks has had it all.
Unsurprisingly, England head coach, Eddie Jones has often found himself in the middle of the rivalry.
His comments on the refereeing in the first test was not received well by Australian media and when he backed this up a week later by saying how much he enjoys silencing an Aussie crowd (who he later joked were all wearing scarves), it’s safe to say Jones is not the most popular man down under.
However footage has emerged of a fan perhaps taking the rivalry a bit too far.
Following England’s series clinching 21-17 victory at Sydney Cricket Ground, one particular Australian supporter was shown shouting abuse directed the way of the England head coach.
He aggressively calles Jones as a ‘Traitor’.
"𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐓!" 😡
A furious Eddie Jones responds to being called a 'traitor' after England's win over Australia.
(via @adampeacock3)pic.twitter.com/vUAKFj00RR
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) July 17, 2022
Clearly incensed by the abuse received, Eddie Jones attempted to confront the man in crowd while being held by security, repeatedly telling him to “Come here and say that”.
At this point, the once loud fan showcased a complete change in mood and seemed to completely back off from the situation – not quite as confident as he was before…
Many people of social media have jumped to Eddie’s defence and stated that the England head coach was well within his rights to react the way that he did.
The video has also sparked a conversation in the rugby world and whether fans in particular are losing the respect that was often what set rugby apart from other sports.
Just off the back of the Eddie Jones videos. I have seen a huge shift in Rugby fans over last few years. Swearing and abusing referees during the match. Abuse on twitter. #rugbyvalues and all that shite, it’s gone. Values in any walk of life seem to have gone. 2022. It’s sad.
— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) July 17, 2022
Don’t rate that supposed fan getting into Eddie Jones. It’s a poor look. I, as a proud wallaby & Australian , don’t think for one second Eddie is a traitor. He is a proud Aussie that happens to coach another national team that isn’t us. This is sport nowadays
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) July 17, 2022
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