‘Eddie has been playing with these kids’ – Sonny Bill Williams takes aim at Eddie Jones
Split with Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones and Sonny Bill Williams.
Former All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams has raised questions over Eddie Jones as the Wallabies head coach as the side succumbed to a 40-6 defeat to Wales on Sunday.
The result is a worst-case scenario for Jones in his second tenure that only yielded one win from seven games thus far, leaving fans and former players frustrated. It almost confirms the team’s first exit from the Rugby World Cup group stage.
🏴🇦🇺 WALES THUMP AWFUL WALLABIES! #WALvAUS #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/WB1GR0JZPc
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) September 24, 2023
Decisions leading to the defeat
It is not only the performance on the field that has been the issue but rather how the team got there, with Jones being erratic in his decision-making and in the way he has addressed the media since returning to the team.
Reports claim that Jones has even been in discussions for the Japan job after the tournament – something he has denied. Williams believes that it is tough for players to buy into a coach looking elsewhere.
“If I’m a player, I’m not following a guy that’s having a meeting with another national team, potentially looking for another job, days before you’re hopping on the plane to come to this World Cup,” Williams told Stan Sport.
“If a coach shows his characteristics and does things like that, I’m not going to follow him into battle.
“I’ve got to be prepared to die for a coach and go out there and give my heart and soul.”
Selection issues
Williams believes Jones needs to be held responsible after making questionable selection decisions, including leaving Australia’s most capped captain back at home for the tournament. The former All Blacks also underline how these players have to carry the record from this World Cup for the rest of their careers.
“Where we are right now, questions need to be asked,” Williams said.
“From selections to the mind games Eddie has been playing with these kids.
“There’s a guy in the studio back home (Hooper) who should be here right now.
“The proof is in the pudding; 40-6 is really embarrassing, and I feel for these kids, they’re going to carry this on for the rest of their careers and feel this.”
