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‘I can deal with that’: Eddie Jones laughs off ‘unpopular’ crowd reaction
For the second night in a row, more than 75,000 rugby supporters brought a breathtaking level of passion, energy and noise to Stade de France for a Rugby World Cup clash.
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Hosts France defeated the All Blacks in the tournament opener, and thousands were back at the Parisian venue less than 24 hours later for a Pool C clash between Australia and Georgia.
The atmosphere at both World Cup matches was simply incredible. Fans were singing and chanting well before the opening whistle, and their vibrancy carried on deep into the night.
But from the moment the tournament began with a Beauden Barrett kick-off at 9.18 pm on Friday, fans were seemingly engulfed by the occasion. They cheered and didn’t boo – well until Eddie arrived.
Well-known rugby guru Eddie Jones was shown on the big screen a few times during the Wallabies’ win, and clearly, the coach holds a “consistently unpopular” reputation amongst fans.
Fans booed and whistled every time Jones was shown on the big screen, but the Australian couldn’t help but laugh it off after the match.
“Obviously I’m not popular, mate, at least it’s consistent,” Jones told reporters on Saturday.
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“You either want to be popular or unpopular, so at least I’m consistently unpopular. I can deal with that.”
The Wallabies got off to a perfect start on the sport’s biggest stage with centre Jordan Petaia placing the ball down for the opening try of the Test after just two minutes.
Petaia was a man on a mission during the early exchanges, with the utility setting up wing Mark Nawaqanitawase for a score shortly after with a brilliant one-handed offload.
The Wallabies were very much in control by half-time, and Georgia wing Mirian Modebadze had just been sent to the sin bin too which didn’t help their cause of a comeback.
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Georgia showed mere glimpses of brilliance throughout the 80 minutes, but the result was never really in doubt as the Wallabies secured their first win since November.
“When you’ve got a young team, haven’t been doing well and getting criticised, you can go into your shell a little bit,” Jones said on the field.
“I thought they came out in the first half and put a conclusive performance together.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments