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Eddie Jones implies referee tried to 'even it up' after red card

By AAP
Referee James Doleman talks with Jonny Hill and Courtney Lawes of England during game one of the international test match series between the Australian Wallabies and England at Optus Stadium on July 02, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

England coach Eddie Jones has sensationally claimed referees “help” teams who have received a red card after watching his side crash to a 30-28 loss to the 14-man Wallabies.

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The Wallabies went down a man in the 34th minute when lock Darcy Swain was red carded for headbutting England’s Jonny Hill.

England led 6-3 at the time, but the Wallabies bucked the odds to score three second-half tries and secure a famous victory.

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell after defeat to the All Blacks in the first test | Ireland post-match press conference

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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell after defeat to the All Blacks in the first test | Ireland post-match press conference

It was the second match in a row England had lost against 14 men, following on from the 52-21 defeat to the Barbarians.

In that match, Australian Will Skelton was red carded in the first half. England not only failed to take advantage, they crumbled in a heap.

Jones was in a testy mood after Saturday night’s loss to the Wallabies, and his comments about the referee are sure to raise eyebrows.

James Doleman refereed Saturday’s match, but Jones claimed all referees do the same thing.

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“That always happens mate. I f you look at the history of the game, whenever you get a red card, the referee evens it up,” Jones said.

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“Social reciprocity. That happens mate. That’s normal. We’ve got to be good enough to handle it.

“That happens in every game of rugby I’ve seen where a team gets a red card … because they’re nice blokes, referees.

“I’m not criticising the referee at all, I’m not using it as an excuse, that’s just the reality of rugby.”

When pushed about his team’s struggles when playing against 14 men, Jones became even testier.

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“I think I just spoke about that mate. You didn’t hear me? It’s alright, I’ll say it again,” he said.

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“I think when you play against 14 men, the referee has a significant impact on the game, and you’ve got to be good enough to understand what that is.

“And we weren’t good enough to understand what that is, and therefore we paid the price. He evens it up mate.

“He helps the team with the red card. That’s j ust normal nature.

“Let’s be sure about one th ing, we’re not using the referee as an excuse. But the referee changes, and we’ve got to be good enough to adapt.”

Saturday’s result marked Jones’ first loss to the Wallabies while coach of England.

Before that, he held a perfect 8-0 record.

England must beat the Wallabies at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium next Saturday in order to keep the series alive.

Jones said his team’s new methods in attack would take time to become ingrained, but he hopes to see a cleaner display in Brisbane.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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