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'Big mistake before a World Cup': England fans on Eddie Jones sacking
The RFU’s decision to sack Eddie Jones following their recent Autumn Nations Series has been met by a range of responses from England fans online.
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The contrast between England’s recent results and Jones’ successful overall record with the team means there are plenty of fans in either camp on whether he should have been sacked or not.
One thing that is apparent from fans’ responses on Twitter is that it is very late in the day to make a decision like this with the World Cup less than a year away. Jones’ side have spluttered for a couple of seasons now, which is why some supporters feel this decision should have been made then.
But with the Australian’s glowing World Cup record, there is a sense among the England fandom that Jones was building towards the World Cup and has been robbed of the opportunity for his plan to come to fruition.
Here are some of the responses:
“Thanks for everything Eddie, been a great coach for us and played some of the best rugby I have seen in the 2019 WC. But since then it has been a bit of a rough ride and series of poor results. Just a case of things plateauing and no real progress being made.”
Following a review of the @autumnnations, Eddie Jones has been dismissed as England men’s head coach.
The RFU will conclude coach succession planning in the near future.
Read the full RFU statement here 👉 https://t.co/eyoWDAb6kd pic.twitter.com/QwiCg4vkci
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 6, 2022
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“So, who is going in the RFU hierarchy? Who is going to be held accountable for the decisions made by the RFU that led us to the point? Dismiss Eddie fine, but he is one man and the issues are broader and deeper than that.”
So, who is going in the RFU hierarchy? Who is going to be held accountable for the decisions made by the RFU that led us to the point? Dismiss Eddie fine, but he is one man and the issues are broader and deeper than that. 😡
— Harry Thomsett (@harry_thomsett) December 6, 2022
“Probably should have happened 2 years ago – but thank you for some incredible memories in the 6N and the 2019 RWC. Not convinced that Borthwick is going to unleash the potential of this squad – but he’s done a good job with Tigers and used to the England setup. Scott Robertson?!”
Probably should have happened 2 years ago – but thank you for some incredible memories in the 6N and the 2019 RWC. Not convinced that Borthwick is going to unleash the potential of this squad – but he’s done a good job with Tigers and used to the England setup. Scott Robertson?!
— nick perry (@nick_perry7) December 6, 2022
“Should’ve either sacked him a year ago to allow a proper run up to the World Cup under a new coach, or let Eddie see his plan through. Sacking him now is the worst of all worlds.”
Should’ve either sacked him a year ago to allow a proper run up to the World Cup under a new coach, or let Eddie see his plan through. Sacking him now is the worst of all worlds
— TheFantasyFootballManager (@FPLPoliticsPain) December 6, 2022
“I don’t know how to feel about this. I agree that the performances have been awful and I don’t want to watch 4 years of rubbish in between world cups but we’re less than a year out now and he’s proven to be a good WC coach. Hopefully we see more expansive with whoever is next!”
I don’t know how to feel about this. I agree that the performances have been awful and I don’t want to watch 4 years of rubbish in between world cups but we’re less than a year out now and he’s proven to be a good WC coach. Hopefully we see more expansive with whoever is next!
— Jamie Tomkys (@JTomkys) December 6, 2022
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“Awful decision. How can people not see that nothing matters as long as you win a World Cup. He uses these four years to make sure we reach a World Cup final. Some years we’ve won things in those periods some years we haven’t. No one better suited than him for the role.”
Awful decision. How can people not see that nothing matters as long as you win a World Cup. He uses these four years to make sure we reach a World Cup final. Some years we’ve won things in those periods some years we haven’t. No one better suited than him for the role.
— Richard Bowes (@R_Bowes) December 6, 2022
“Feels the wrong choice, seemingly loved by the players, an incredible World Cup record, openly spoken about how he is concentrating on 2023 and it’s all a build up plan. We backed him 2 years ago on this yet no @EnglandRugby have gone nuts. Good luck to whoever is next.”
Feels the wrong choice, seemingly loved by the players, an incredible World Cup record, openly spoken about how he is concentrating on 2023 and it’s all a build up plan. We backed him 2 years ago on this yet no @EnglandRugby have gone nuts. Good luck to whoever is next.
— Luke Dorbin (@LukeDorbin) December 6, 2022
“As much as I like EJ this is long overdue, surprised at the timing as should have happened much sooner as same problems have kept recurring for over two years now. Did think we were hanging on until after the WC but a great crop of players to work with for a new coach.”
As much as I like EJ this is long overdue, surprised at the timing as should have happened much sooner as same problems have kept recurring for over two years now. Did think we were hanging on until after the WC but a great crop of players to work with for a new coach.
— Mark Rainsbury (@marktheactor25) December 6, 2022
“Great timing @EnglandRugby, World Cup only 9 months away so you obviously are not intending for England to mount any sort of challenge in it, think some of those who made this decision, need to look at your own positions.”
Great timing @EnglandRugby , World Cup only 9 months away so you obviously are not intending for England to mount any sort of challenge in it, think some of those who made this decision, need to look at your own positions
— Paul Johnson (@paj130563) December 6, 2022
“So he’s free to get a job with another Union and explain everything England have been working on for 7 years? Might as well just give SA the world cup now. Short-sighted from the RFU. Would love the players to stand up.”
So he’s free to get a job with another Union and explain everything England have been working on for 7 years? Might as well just give SA the world cup now. Short-sighted from the RFU. Would love the players to stand up.
— Dominic Hill (@HillDom) December 6, 2022
“Big mistake before a World Cup.”
Big mistake before a World Cup
— Kurt hatch (@Kurt23Hatch) December 6, 2022
“This feels like the wrong choice to me. It’s meant to be about peaking at the right time for big tournaments. I think Eddie had time to turn it around with the 6 nations in Feb. I guess now we’ll never know…….!?”
This feels like the wrong choice to me. It’s meant to be about peaking at the right time for big tournaments. I think Eddie had time to turn it around with the 6 nations in Feb. I guess now we’ll never know…….!? 🤷♂️
— Alastair (@akinnear124) December 6, 2022
Comments on RugbyPass
The side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
4 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
4 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
4 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
4 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to comments