WATCH: Eddie Jones fumes at journalists – ‘You ought to give yourselves uppercuts’
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones speaks to media during a press conference as the team depart for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones lost his cool again in his last interview in Australia before the squad boarded a plane for the Rugby World Cup.
In what Jones described as the “worst press conference” he has ever had in world rugby, the Wallabies boss took aim at the “negative” Australian media.
“Thanks for the worst press conference”
The coach was speaking at Sydney International Airport ahead of the Wallabies’ departure to France and was questioned about the omissions of Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper.
Jones revealed that Cooper, who was left out of the squad, was not answering his phone calls.
“I tried to ring him, and I can’t get a hold of him. That’s all I can do,” Jones said.
Jones was pressed as to why Cooper was not answering his calls.
“I think he’s very upset, mate,” he said.
“I don’t know why you’re going back to that. That’s probably reflective of Australian rugby.
“We’ve got to move on to a World Cup with a great young squad, and you’re still talking about players we haven’t selected. We’ve tried to ring him, that’s all I can do.”
🗣️ Eddie Jones: "You ought to give yourselves uppercuts."#RWC2023 #Wallabies pic.twitter.com/cp1L1T6tOk
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 17, 2023
The 63-year-old could not contain his frustrations from there, with the questions clearly angering the head coach.
“I know what’s wrong with Australian rugby, and part of you blokes are the problem,” Jones snapped.
“Thanks for the worst press conference I’ve ever had in world rugby. Well done – the worst I’ve ever seen.”
He added: “I can’t believe the level of negativity here. You’re so negative about everything.
“We’re going off to a World Cup; you think we can’t win. Tell us we’re terrible, and we will prove you wrong.
“I can feel this negativity – I’ve got to wash myself off because it’s just sticking to me.”
“I love this negativity”
When asked about what he sees in the youthful squad named, Jones interrupted sarcastically: “Nothing, mate. We’re terrible.
“I love this negativity; it’s fantastic. I love it, love it; keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going.”
When Jones felt he had enough, he walked away, adding, “You ought to give yourselves uppercuts.”
The Wallabies face France next week in what is their final warm-up game before their Rugby World Cup opener against Georgia on September 9.
READ MORE: Wallabies and their attack coach part ways on the eve of Rugby World Cup
