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‘I’m just doing my job’: Aussie scribe reveals Eddie Jones ‘blocked my number’

Eddie Jones - PA

Over the past few months, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent has led the way by updating rugby readers on one of the biggest sports stories of the year in Australia.

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It was Decent who first broke the story that then-Wallabies boss Eddie Jones had reportedly interviewed with Japan for their head coach role before the Rugby World Cup.

Hours before the Wallabies’ record 40-6 World Cup defeat to Wales in Lyon, the story went live on the SMH. Decent also asked Jones about the apparent interview a couple of times after the defeat.

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    “I don’t know what you are talking about, mate,” Jones adamantly denied at the press conference.

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    For the months that followed, Jones continued to reject the idea that he was looking elsewhere less than a year into a five-year deal with Rugby Australia, but everyone knows how that ended.

    Jones was officially unveiled as Japan’s new head coach on Wednesday. Decent flew to Tokyo and continued to seek answers at a press conference on Thursday.

    “Ultimately we labelled it a first-round interview for a reason, we obtained a screenshot of that interview which said first-round interview, Eddie Jones, JRFU,” Decent told SEN 1170 Afternoons.

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    “We also spoke to individuals who were very close to the situation. They told us things which we haven’t printed… which would absolutely indicate that it wasn’t just having a chat to a recruiter about (his experiences) as Japan coach.

    “I think Eddie was being a bit cute there and got concerned a bit. I don’t think they understand exactly what we had.

    “It’s an interesting spin that as well. Funnily enough, the Japan chairman who (said) it was only recruiters that Eddie was speaking to, well he was on the call as well and we proved that.”

    Before flying out to Europe ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Jones infamously told a group of reporters at Sydney Airport to “give yourselves uppercuts” during a press conference.

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    Decent has now revealed that ‘Eddie’ “blocked my number” after that media opportunity which Jones considered to be far too negative ahead of the sport’s showpiece event.

    “I think Eddie understands the journalism game, I’m just doing my job and his job is to coach a rugby (team).” Decent said.

    “He blocked my number after that famous Sydney airport press conference where he went (off at) a few reporters. I never really got to the bottom of why.

    “Then obviously a few days later it emerged that he had been speaking to Japan, the only exchanges I’ve had with him have been at press conferences.

    “They’ve been tense and make for good TV fodder as well but ultimately, we were just trying to ascertain the truth. It’s not just me against him or the herald against him, it’s Australian rugby fans who deserve to know his true intentions.”

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    Comments

    5 Comments
    A
    Ace 580 days ago

    Tom “Decent”? Isn’t he the guy who broke the “pissgate” scandal?

    K
    KM 580 days ago

    RUGBYPASS EDITORS,

    let me know when you are prepared to delete the defamatory nonsense posted about Tom Decent and I may return.

    W
    Westy 581 days ago

    In the words of Rassie Erasmus commenting on the article by Tom Decent:


    “Tom, I don’t think many rugby fans will take you serious man”


    [replaced “South Africa” with “rugby”]


    Speak the truth.. don’t fabricate

    W
    Westy 581 days ago

    To be fair Tom Decent is a sports journalist with a reputation for fabricating stories to grab headlines for a column starved of attention in the SMH.


    He fabricated a story about a Springbok player that urinated at the Randwick High School training fields prior to the Sydney TRC match. This claim by Decent was denied by Randwick High School, Randwick council and the Springbok management team.

    Tom Decent never provided proof for his article other than referring to an anonymous source.


    When it comes to claims by Decent about calls to Eddie Jones phone, I would treat the claim with suspicion taking into account his history of fabricating stories to grab headlines.

    M
    Mzilikazi 581 days ago

    I would suspect his name is not really ”Decent”, Bob ? From what you say he is not always “a decent man” in persueing a story.

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    P
    PL 1 hour ago
    Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

    I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

    Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


    Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


    The officiating of last feet is non existent

    The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

    A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


    Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

    Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


    About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

    Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


    The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


    I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


    The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

    Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

    Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

    My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


    Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


    Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

    Last feet to last feet + 1 m


    When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


    As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


    Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

    25 were scrum for dissent


    Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


    All the s.ite would disappear


    The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


    Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

    1 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 2 hours ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    237 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 2 hours ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    237 Go to comments
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