Wallabies coach Eddie Jones lashed the “negativity” round his World Cup squad in a unprecedented press convention he referred to as the “worst ever” as they left for France whereas declaring his workers would “improve” after assistant Brad Davis’s shock determination to give up this week.
Speaking on the airport because the squad flew out on Thursday, Jones addressed the sudden departure of his assault coach, who was solely appointed in May and mentioned Davis had left for “family reasons”.
But Jones then went on the assault amid questioning concerning the choice course of and never having as but spoken to axed veteran Quade Cooper.
Jones, who has taken cost of the Wallabies for a second time and is adamant his group that’s winless in 4 Tests this yr can win the World Cup, bristled on the backward pondering he believes has held Australian rugby again.
He mentioned that “no one” thinks the Wallabies can win was solely hardening the enjoying and training group to show all of the doubters mistaken.
“I can’t believe the level of negativity. You’re so bloody negative about everything,” he advised the assembled media pack.
“We’re going off to a World Cup you think we can’t win. You think the selection process is bad because the players complained. We’ll go out there and do our best boys. If you haven’t got anything positive to say, don’t ask.
“I know you blokes think we can’t do any good, so don’t ask any questions. Just be the pessimists you are. Keep Australian rugby where it’s been.
“Complain about players that don’t get selected, keep doing that. I love this negativity, love it, love it. Just tell us we are terrible and we’ll prove you wrong.”
Jones confirmed that Cooper, who was neglected of the World Cup squad regardless of being a part of the group that misplaced back-to-back clashes in opposition to the All Blacks amid 4 losses within the Rugby Championship, hadn’t returned his calls after his non-selection.
Former captain Michael Hooper was additionally neglected as he battles a calf subject.
But Jones dismissed the missed gamers as a problem and mentioned it was time to give attention to who was enjoying
“If the players are unhappy about the selection process so be it,” he mentioned.
“We’re moving on to a new young squad who are going to take Australian rugby forward. “What we’ve had here over the last eight years hasn’t been good enough. I’m disappointed for players but all I can do is ring them.
“If they don’t take the phone call, you can’t talk to them. What do you want me to do?”
The coach concluded the press convention by telling the journalists to “give yourselves uppercuts, boys” when requested concerning the Akubra hats he and the gamers have been sporting.
“Thanks for the worst press convention I‘ve ever had in world rugby. Worst press conference,” he said.
“Well done, boys. That is the worst I’ve ever seen. Worst I’ve ever seen.”
Despite the tumult, Jones mentioned he was “more confident” of World Cup success.
“I think we have the right squad, we have the right balance of energy and enthusiasm, we have youth on our side, we’re ready to go,” he mentioned.
“I’m much more confident.”
Jones mentioned the matter with Davis got here to a head earlier this week and whereas he didn’t title a alternative, he gave the departing assistant who may be a part of the Queensland Reds amid stories of dissatisfaction with the Wallabies, a refined clip for strolling out on the group.
“There’s an opportunity for us and I think we’ll improve our coaching staff,” Jones mentioned on the airport.
“We had a discussion a couple of nights ago.
“There’s a potential candidate ready to step up now. As I said, I think we’ll improve the coaching staff.”
The Wallabies misplaced all 4 video games within the Rugby Championship, together with back-to-back defeats by New Zealand.
A World Cup warm-up match is scheduled in opposition to France this weekend, the final likelihood to get a victory earlier than the event begins in September.
Source: www.news.com.au
