‘I’m just doing my job’: Aussie scribe reveals Eddie Jones ‘blocked my number’
Over the past few months, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent has led the way by updating rugby readers on one of the biggest sports stories of the year in Australia.
It was Decent who first broke the story that then-Wallabies boss Eddie Jones had reportedly interviewed with Japan for their head coach role before the Rugby World Cup.
Hours before the Wallabies’ record 40-6 World Cup defeat to Wales in Lyon, the story went live on the SMH. Decent also asked Jones about the apparent interview a couple of times after the defeat.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, mate,” Jones adamantly denied at the press conference.
For the months that followed, Jones continued to reject the idea that he was looking elsewhere less than a year into a five-year deal with Rugby Australia, but everyone knows how that ended.
Jones was officially unveiled as Japan’s new head coach on Wednesday. Decent flew to Tokyo and continued to seek answers at a press conference on Thursday.
“Ultimately we labelled it a first-round interview for a reason, we obtained a screenshot of that interview which said first-round interview, Eddie Jones, JRFU,” Decent told SEN 1170 Afternoons.
“We also spoke to individuals who were very close to the situation. They told us things which we haven’t printed… which would absolutely indicate that it wasn’t just having a chat to a recruiter about (his experiences) as Japan coach.
“I think Eddie was being a bit cute there and got concerned a bit. I don’t think they understand exactly what we had.
“It’s an interesting spin that as well. Funnily enough, the Japan chairman who (said) it was only recruiters that Eddie was speaking to, well he was on the call as well and we proved that.”
Before flying out to Europe ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Jones infamously told a group of reporters at Sydney Airport to “give yourselves uppercuts” during a press conference.
Decent has now revealed that ‘Eddie’ “blocked my number” after that media opportunity which Jones considered to be far too negative ahead of the sport’s showpiece event.
“I think Eddie understands the journalism game, I’m just doing my job and his job is to coach a rugby (team).” Decent said.
“He blocked my number after that famous Sydney airport press conference where he went (off at) a few reporters. I never really got to the bottom of why.
“Then obviously a few days later it emerged that he had been speaking to Japan, the only exchanges I’ve had with him have been at press conferences.
“They’ve been tense and make for good TV fodder as well but ultimately, we were just trying to ascertain the truth. It’s not just me against him or the herald against him, it’s Australian rugby fans who deserve to know his true intentions.”
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments