“I know what’s wrong with Australian rugby and you blokes are part of the problem because you’re so bloody negative about everything,” then Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones said, taking direct aim at the Australian media before heading out to the 2023 World Cup. “Tell us we’re terrible and we will prove you wrong. I can feel this negativity, I’ve got to wash myself off, it’s sticking to me.”
Well said, Eddie. Just make sure you don’t go and crash out in the pool stages and then start your own podcast, thus becoming part of the hated media spewing negativity. What’s that? Australia failed to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history and now he presents the Rugby Unity podcast. Oh.
Jones is perfectly entitled to voice his opinions on whatever rugby subject he wishes, drawing on his near 40 years of coaching. Frequently, his insights are proven to be well ahead of the curve, such as his banging the drum for the introduction of hybrid players. But it is always advisable to have a pot of Maldon Flakes on hand while digesting some of his hot takes.
Like his assertion that Henry Pollock is not a “grind” player ready to play 80 minutes off the back of a single Test start. Last week’s game against Ireland was far from Pollock’s most eye-catching display but around a dozen England players bear more culpability for the 42-21 loss than the 21-year-old. Clearly, Pollock has a style well suited to highlight reels, but speak to anyone around Northampton Saints and they will highlight his graft first and foremost. Last season, Pollock topped the charts in the Champions Cup for both tackles and turnovers. That seems quite grind-y.
Perhaps even more egregious was Jones’ criticism of Steve Borthwick, his successor as England head coach, for stating that he wanted his team to head to Paris on the final day, gunning for the title. Now, if there is one thing Borthwick cannot be accused of, it is bombast. If you go back and read the transcript of what he said, there is never any mention of the words “grand” or “slam”. Merely that he wanted to be in a position where England supporters were flooding across the Channel for the final-round encounter against France, even adding: “The only way you get to that point is taking care of every step along the journey.”