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'It's me': Eddie Jones offers himself up as the fall-guy for Wallabies' campaign
By AAP
As a hooker Eddie Jones wasn't known for his side-step, but the Wallabies coach has continued to use his evasive skills to avoid talking about his ties to the Japan coaching vacancy.
At the naming of Australia's team for their final pool clash in France, taking on Portugal in Saint-Etienne, Jones was pushed for a definitive answer on whether or not he had been interviewed to take over as Japan coach following the World Cup.
"The only thing I'm concentrating on is Portugal," Jones responded when asked to clarify his future.
"So if you want to ask about anything else, don't ask."
The reporter said the Australian public deserved to know whether a zoom interview just days before the World Cup opener, took place.
"I've already answered before, I said no, I said no previously."
Asked if was considering resigning after the final pool game the 63-year-old repeated that he was "only worried about the Portuguese game".
Former Wallabies captains Stephen Moore and Simon Poidevin have both said that Jones's position as coach was untenable if he had actively pursued the Japan role less than a year into a five-year contract with Australia.
Following historic losses to Fiji and Wales, which put the Wallabies on the brink of missing the quarter-finals for the first time, Jones said he was responsible for the humiliating defeats rather than the players.
He said he would be the "fall-guy" if Rugby Australia were looking to blame someone for Australia's worst World Cup showing.
"Well, if people have got a problem with the results, they come to me, right? And at the end of the tournament I'll stand by that.
"If there needs to be a fall-guy for the World Cup, then it's obviously me.
"When you become a head coach of a team, you take on that responsibility.
"The playing group has been absolutely fantastic and I couldn't ask any more of them so if there needs to be someone responsible for the performance, it's me."
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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