ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The three key takeaways from the ‘Eddie Jones press conference’

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Monday Sep 25, 2023

Eddie Jones was joined by Wallaby captain David Porecki as they faced the rugby world’s media following their shocking record defeat to Wales on Sunday night.

ADVERTISEMENT

The match signaled Australia’s exit from the competition in the pool stages for the first time in the nation’s history. Whilst the young squad were coming to terms with their historic loss in the changing room, head coach Eddie Jones arrived for the media briefings, bleary-eyed and short on words.

This was a far cry from the Eddie Jones that has become well-known for his controversial and outlandish claims in the past. Instead, for the second time in a year, Jones looked short of charisma, confidence, and support.

Much like the latter stages of his England tenure, Jones found himself in a position where he could not state the future of his job, and instead found himself apologising to the fans that had traveled a considerable distance to support the team.

Here are the three key takeaways from the press conference:

Apologetic and upset Eddie

“Firstly I’d just like to apologise to all the Australian supporters, a lot of people have traveled here. I’m sure a lot of people have stayed up late at night and our performance wasn’t up to the standard that is required, and I apologise for that. I take full responsibility for it.

“The young team in there is very disappointed, they tried their hearts out but unfortunately at the moment we just don’t have the consistency in our play to put pressure on teams like Wales. We do some good things and then we fall away, it’s very disappointing.

“Congratulations to Wales also I thought they played a good tough game of rugby, they kicked well, chased well and they had a couple of opportunities to score tries which they took. So well done to Wales.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I came back to Australia to try to help, at the moment I’m not giving much help, am I? But that doesn’t mean my commitment to help them has changed. I’m a proud Australian, I hate to see Australian rugby do as poorly as we’ve been doing, particularly under my reign.

“I came back to try to help but there’s not only the Wallabies we’ve got to try to improve, we need to improve the whole system in Australian rugby and that’s not an excuse but we’ve just got to have a really good look at ourselves and see what we’ve got to do to improve the way we’re going about our rugby.”

Refusing to acknowledge Japan rumours but also refusing to rule out a return, whilst simultaneously stating a commitment to Wallaby role.

I don’t know what you’re talking about, mate,” Eddie said when asked about the report of his job interview with Japan.

“That’s not my judgment, mate. That’s the judgment of rugby Australia” was his response to his job security at the Wallabies.

“I think I’ve got I’ve got the ability to turn things around, I was hoping we’d be able to do it by now but we haven’t been able to and as I said I take full responsibility for it I haven’t done a good enough job and I’m bloody disappointed about that mate.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’m committed to coach Australia. I’m committed to coach Australia” Jones repeated as reporters pushed Jones for clarification on the Japan rumours.

“I really take umbrage at the questioning that people are questioning my commitment to coaching Australia. I’ve been working nonstop since I’ve come here and I apologise for the results I keep saying that but to doubt my commitment to the job I think it’s a bit red hot.

“So we’re not going to deal with any of those questions any further, so I’m happy to talk about Wales I’m happy to talk about Portugal if you want to keep going down that line I’ll excuse myself, so do you want to decide what you want to do?”

State of Aussie rugby

“If I wasn’t thinking that I could win the World Cup, I wouldn’t bother going. I’d prefer to have high expectations, and then when you fail at least you least you know we’ve been setting our goal to win the World Cup, and if we’re not good enough that’s OK as long as we keep working hard and keep trying to improve and we are every day.

“You get some downs and ups and we’ll continue to have that for a while. What we are seeing is a group of young players who are going to be the backbone of a very successful Australian team.

“I took the job understanding there was gonna be a process to rebuild Australian rugby and rebuild the Wallabies and a process unfortunately takes time it takes some pain sometimes it takes more pain than it does pleasure. But I’ve got no idea what I set out to do whilst it looks at the moment like it’s a shambles I can guarantee you it’s not.

“There are things afoot that will help change Australian rugby which is not for me to talk about, but for other people and for rugby Australia to talk about. I’ve got to coach the team better, there’s no doubt about that. That’s not good enough tonight and I’m responsible for that, but we’ve got a process in place.”

Related Articles

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 16 HOURS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 0 HOUR AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

View All