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Serious backlash over Eddie Jones' 'disparaging' Lions comments
The Six Nations may be over, but that does not mean that Eddie Jones has slunk out of the limelight.
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The outspoken England head coach has once again riled up his closest rivals by ruling himself out of contention for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
He was quite dismissive of the role, describing it as an “ambassador job”, in what can be seen as another dig at his rival Warren Gatland.
However, just as they had throughout the Six Nations, many fans from the home nations have not taken kindly to Jones’ comments. Many fans have said that they would not want him as coach of the Lions, as he is has increasingly become an unpopular figure amongst Welsh, Scottish and Irish fans. Moreover, many fans feel that he would not have been considered for the job, and has effectively ruled himself out rather than being rejected.
https://twitter.com/arwyn_evans/status/1110489371243958272
This is like a wee 59-year old guy ruling himself out of a night of passion with Beyoncé https://t.co/7bq0z2ia9E
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) March 26, 2019
He would never have been in the running anyway.
— Lee AW ???????? ?????? (@LWaunfawr) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/tomjamesCardiff/status/1110444453200830464
I’d as much chance of coaching the Lions in 2021 as Eddie but like him I’ve decided to rule myself out of taking charge. ?
— Mark Smith (@jaggo2210) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/WilhelmVonJones/status/1110467982512279552
How very sad that he's ruled himself out (knowing it’d never be offered to him anyway) The guy is a disrespectful clown, typical Aussie sporting mentality basically.
— Jason Maksimovic (@JasonMaxi) March 26, 2019
He wouldn't get the job anyway! ?
— Nathan Barrett (@nathanbarrett76) March 26, 2019
That means he knows he wouldn’t get the job ??
— Kevin Belcher (@Kev10Belcher) March 26, 2019
Not sure the Lions would want Eddie Jones "to spend eight weeks in a blazer." Surprised he hasn't had another pop at Wales. while he was at it.
— Andrew Baldock (@balders2) March 26, 2019
Some fans have also highlighted the fact that he is not good enough to coach the Lions anyway, which is understandable. Had Jones made these comments in 2016 or 2017, where he had coached England to back to back Six Nations titles and a record 18-match winning streak, he would have been in a better position.
Now that England have faltered over the past year, Jones’ chances of coaching the Lions have significantly decreased, with many fans favouring Gatland over the Australian. Should Gatland choose to coach the Lions again, he would undoubtedly be the favourite, having won in Australia in 2013, and managed a historic draw against New Zealand in 2017.
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Gatland better anyway
— Coach K. (@Kuntchi13) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/davidallan999/status/1110442109696385024
https://twitter.com/D_E_80/status/1110447019364098048
https://twitter.com/L17Mac/status/1110448607541542912
Ultimately, the thing that has riled a lot of fans up, and may well be the crux of the issue, is that this is disrespectful towards the Lions. Whether Jones would be in contention or not is irrelevant compared to the way that he has besmirched one of rugby’s most unique and proudest traditions.
Jones has a history of controversial comments, and this will certainly not be the last time he finds himself in hot water, but he may have overstepped the mark this time with some fans.
Carwyn James, Syd Millar, Sir Ian Mcheeghan, Warren Gatland et al… were some ambassadors then.
— Phil Steele (@philsteele1) March 26, 2019
The guy has no respect for what the lions are all about.
No wonder nobody likes him. ?
— ??? ?????? (@LeeJarvis10) March 26, 2019
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Ambassador and Eddie don't exactly sound right together anyway. He is an absolute disgrace and hope @EnglandRugby also release a statement distancing themselves from his comments
— Dr Dai Samuel (@docdai) March 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1110490262780997632
Comments on RugbyPass
This is might be the most generalised, entitled, patronising, out-of-pocket cultural indictment on a group of people you’ll ever see on what is supposedly a sports publication. I can only assume the author is weak like a woman or homosexual. I’m feeling an incredible range of emotions but I am not quite sure how to express them. I might go beat up a hockey player - assuming that’s okay with Duane and the boys? 🙂
9 Go to commentsBest thing the Welsh clubs could do is apply to join Gallagher prem surely be more exciting matches for there support than they have now.
2 Go to commentsRugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
9 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
24 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
64 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
24 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
64 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
9 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
9 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
9 Go to comments