Eddie Jones says he takes full responsibility for Australia's first defeat to Fiji in 70 years. Photo: Getty Images/Chris Hyde < p>Eddie Jones has been criticized by former Australia forward Drew Mitchell for a lack of transparency after the Wallabies' first defeat to Fiji in almost 70 years.
Australia need to beat Wales on Sunday to stay in the tournament and avoid the ignominy of becoming the first Wallabies team to never reach the Rugby World Cup play-offs.
Mitchell, who was part of the Australian team that reached the 2015 Rugby World Cup final , went on a two-minute tirade against Jones during an appearance on the Australian version of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
“Let's not take away from the fact that Fiji played very well. But let's also not take away from the fact that we sure as hell shouldn't have lost to Fiji,” Mitchell said.
“Eddie sits there and says, 'Yeah, it's my fault.' . I take full responsibility.» What the hell does this mean? Like, they won’t throw him this week. He won't coach next week. It's like an empty damn line at a press conference. “Yes, I take full responsibility.” Like, what does this correspond to? Nothing.”
Mitchell went on to criticize Jones' decision not to select Quad Cooper or Michael Hooper for the tournament, leaving veteran house operators in favor of young players including Carter Gordon and Tom Hooper.
“You made some egregious decisions regarding Quaid and Michael Hooper. Captaincy, there are six captains in seven weeks. Like, damn, explain some of these decisions to us. Because as fans, we're all sitting here scratching our heads. And most of the time we can sit and defend Eddie or the Wallabies because we can understand the logic behind some of these decisions. But there’s none of that, and he’s sitting there and he’s not actually given any explanation as to why Quaid isn’t there,” Mitchell continued.
“Why isn’t Michael Hooper there?” He said, «Oh, because Michael Hooper is injured.» Well, you took [injured prop] Pone Faamausili. You took Max Jorgensen and other injured guys. So this is an extra point.
“Why the hell didn’t you choose Michael Hooper? Quade Cooper? Like, come out and tell us as fans. Why didn't you choose these guys? Because now we're seeing the result of you not picking some of these guys.”
Hooper, who has captained Australia more than any other player, has worked as a television pundit at home since his omission. from the squad. Speaking after the defeat to Fiji, Hooper questioned Jones' tactical approach to substitutions.
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui responded to Mitchell's comments by criticizing the lack of respect for his side, who beat the Wallabies comfortably in St Etienne.
» «We sure as hell shouldn't have lost to Fiji and why? » Raivalui wrote. «It's starting to get a little condescending… do our young people deserve this?»
Mitchell tried to defuse the situation by replying: “I in no way meant to come across as condescending. I love what you and your team are doing and I fully deserved the win. It was more about your point of view at the press conference about the resources that both unions have at their disposal.»
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill also spoke about the impact of Australia's first defeat to Fiji since 1954, speaking this week. episode of The Telegraph Rugby Podcast.
The Telegraph Rugby Podcast — James Horwill
Horwill said: “Eddie is a remarkable character. Anything that seems out of the ordinary, I don't believe it is. There is a plan to what he does, and for one reason or another it is a strategic ploy. Of course, his injection and targeting of a number of senior rugby league players attracted a lot of attention from the [Australian] media.
“Now the media has tuned in to him because of the results. He won one game out of seven. We think of the golden generation of the early 2000s who won the Rugby World Cup and Bledislos. The country expects its team to win. When that doesn't happen and we could be knocked out of the World Pool Championship for the first time in history, [now] the media have taken the opportunity to put the boot in.»
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