Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says he has just one regret about the worst World Cup campaign in Australia’s history.
He wasn’t the one being linked with an imminent move to Japan’s coaching job after reportedly interviewing for the job on the eve of the tournament.
It wasn’t about leaving former captain Michael Hooper and veteran playmaker Quade Cooper at home on audacious calls that left the Wallabies badly exposed.
It was not his team selections that saw his men become the first Wallabies team to be excluded from a World Cup at the group stage.
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It was actually his infamous press conference at Sydney Airport before his team boarded their flight to France for the tournament.
Jones launched a resounding attack on the media that day, which culminated in the 63-year-old telling reporters in attendance to “give yourself an uppercut.”
Jones was filthy in the face of criticism of his World Cup squads – the youngest ever – and coverage of his team’s 0-5 record heading into the tournament.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones speaks to the media at Sydney International Airport on August 17, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
But things only got worse in France as the Wallabies collapsed to a shock 22-15 defeat to Fiji, their first defeat against the island nation since 1954.
This set up a must-win clash against Wales, but Australia were beaten 40-6 in a record defeat.
It was Australia’s heaviest defeat, not only against Wales, but in any World Cup match.
This forced the Wallabies into an early flight home as they missed the quarter-finals for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
Jones faced the media in Sydney on Tuesday for a tournament post-mortem and said his only regret was that infamous presser two months earlier.
Jones was asked how he reflected on his “uppercut” comment.
“I probably have to give myself an uppercut, don’t I,” Jones said.
“Look, I didn’t like the way this press conference was presented and I have the right to say that. It probably wasn’t the wisest thing to say, but sometimes you say things in the heat of the moment and regret it.
Jones was then asked if he regretted returning to coach Australia, who he coached between 2001 and 2005, earlier this year.
“I always knew it was going to be difficult. Probably the only thing I regret is telling the press to give themselves an uppercut,” he said.
“We are not at this level” | 01:25
NO FEAR OF DELIVERY
Despite the horrifying run of results, Jones insisted he was “not worried” about the prospect of being sacked and believes his polarizing team selection has left the Wallabies in a “great position” to 2027.
“I don’t control these things, all I can do is coach,” Jones said.
“I went to the World Cup, I arrived in a short space of time, I had to make a decision about the team, I made the decision we needed to go there with the youngsters.
“Even though the World Cup results weren’t what we wanted, I think I left the Australian team in a great position to go to 2027. That judgment will be decided at the 2027 World Cup. “
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Amid the horror show in France, explosive reports emerged that Jones had interviewed for the role of Japan head coach and has since claimed he is close to taking on the role.
Instead, Jones doubled down on his commitment to the Wallabies.
“I haven’t talked to anyone, buddy,” Jones said.
“I have already said it. I have no idea, buddy.
Jones also claimed he hadn’t spoken to Japan Rugby Football Union (JFRU) president Masato Tsuchida “in a long time.
Eddie Jones regret, press conference, uppercut comment, World Cup, Japan, reports, latest, updates
Eddie Jones regret, press conference, uppercut comment, World Cup, Japan, reports, latest, updates،
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says he has just one regret about the worst World Cup campaign in Australia’s history.
He wasn’t the one being linked with an imminent move to Japan’s coaching job after reportedly interviewing for the job on the eve of the tournament.
It wasn’t about leaving former captain Michael Hooper and veteran playmaker Quade Cooper at home on audacious calls that left the Wallabies badly exposed.
It was not his team selections that saw his men become the first Wallabies team to be excluded from a World Cup at the group stage.
Stream 50+ sports live and on-demand with Kayo. Sign up now and start streaming instantly >
It was actually his infamous press conference at Sydney Airport before his team boarded their flight to France for the tournament.
Jones launched a resounding attack on the media that day, which culminated in the 63-year-old telling reporters in attendance to “give yourself an uppercut.”
Jones was filthy in the face of criticism of his World Cup squads – the youngest ever – and coverage of his team’s 0-5 record heading into the tournament.
But things only got worse in France as the Wallabies collapsed to a shock 22-15 defeat to Fiji, their first defeat against the island nation since 1954.
This set up a must-win clash against Wales, but Australia were beaten 40-6 in a record defeat.
It was Australia’s heaviest defeat, not only against Wales, but in any World Cup match.
This forced the Wallabies into an early flight home as they missed the quarter-finals for the first time since the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
Jones faced the media in Sydney on Tuesday for a tournament post-mortem and said his only regret was that infamous presser two months earlier.
Jones was asked how he reflected on his “uppercut” comment.
“I probably have to give myself an uppercut, don’t I,” Jones said.
“Look, I didn’t like the way this press conference was presented and I have the right to say that. It probably wasn’t the wisest thing to say, but sometimes you say things in the heat of the moment and regret it.
Jones was then asked if he regretted returning to coach Australia, who he coached between 2001 and 2005, earlier this year.
“I always knew it was going to be difficult. Probably the only thing I regret is telling the press to give themselves an uppercut,” he said.
“We are not at this level” | 01:25
NO FEAR OF DELIVERY
Despite the horrifying run of results, Jones insisted he was “not worried” about the prospect of being sacked and believes his polarizing team selection has left the Wallabies in a “great position” to 2027.
“I don’t control these things, all I can do is coach,” Jones said.
“I went to the World Cup, I arrived in a short space of time, I had to make a decision about the team, I made the decision we needed to go there with the youngsters.
“Even though the World Cup results weren’t what we wanted, I think I left the Australian team in a great position to go to 2027. That judgment will be decided at the 2027 World Cup. “
MORE COVERAGE
‘Kills our game’: Referee drama sparks nasty claims of bias at World Cup as Poms survive huge scare
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Cheika’s World Cup stunner as Pumas stage epic comeback with 12-minute blitz
“I didn’t talk to anyone, buddy” | 02:25
JAPAN LINK
Amid the horror show in France, explosive reports emerged that Jones had interviewed for the role of Japan head coach and has since claimed he is close to taking on the role.
Instead, Jones doubled down on his commitment to the Wallabies.
“I haven’t talked to anyone, buddy,” Jones said.
“I have already said it. I have no idea, buddy.
Jones also claimed he hadn’t spoken to Japan Rugby Football Union (JFRU) president Masato Tsuchida “in a long time.
– with Alex Conrad
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