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The Eddie Jones reply to England criticism from Steve Borthwick

By PA
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Eddie Jones has admitted that Steve Borthwick was probably right when stating he had inherited an England team that weren’t good at anything. Borthwick, who took over from Jones as head coach in December, offered the damning assessment following last Saturday’s 29-23 Guinness Six Nations defeat by Scotland at Twickenham.

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Jones was sacked after presiding over a dire 2022 and, having now taken charge of Australia, he has accepted that his attempts to enhance England’s attack created problems. “Well, he is probably right and that is part of the problem,” Jones told the podcast EDDIE.

“We were trying to morph a team that had had a very good set-piece and very good kicking game. The way that the game is played at the moment, that will win you games but it is probably not good enough to be World Cup champions.

Video Spacer

Steve Borthwick on how England let Scotland back in the game | Six Nations 2023

Video Spacer

Steve Borthwick on how England let Scotland back in the game | Six Nations 2023

“And so expanding the attack sometimes takes away from your strengths and they are going through that difficult period now where they are trying to get that balance right in their game. But Steve will fix it. There is no doubt he will fix it – and keep blaming me. That is all right. I have got a pretty strong back and pretty strong shoulders to absorb that.”

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Tom 2 hours ago
Eben Etzebeth staring at huge ban after another red card

Well… I'd say the modern Boks are not a particularly violent team but it's impossible to getaway with much violence on an international rugby field now. The Boks of yesteryear were at times brutal. Whether or not the reputation is justified, they do have that reputation amongst a lot of rugby fans.

As for point 2.. it's a tricky one, I don't want to slander a nation here. I'm no “Bok hater”, but I've gotta say some Bok fans are the most obnoxious fans I've personally encountered. Notably this didn't seem to be a problem until the Boks became the best in the world. I agree that fans from other nations can be awful too, every nation has it's fair share of d-heads but going on any rugby forum or YouTube comments is quite tedious these days owing to the legions of partisan Bok fans who jump onto every thread regardless of if it's about the Boks to tell everyone how much better the Boks are than everyone else. A Saffa once told me that SA is a troubled country and because of that the Boks are a symbol of SA victory against all odds so that's why the fans are so passionate. At least you recognise that there is an issue with some Bok fans, that's more than many are willing to concede. Whatever the reason, it's just boring is all I can tell you and I can say coming from a place of absolute honesty I encounter far, far more arrogance and obnoxious behaviour from Bok fans than any other fanbase - the kiwis were nothing like this when they were on top. So look much love to SA, I bear no hatred of ill will, I just want to have conversations about rugby without being told constantly that the Boks are the best team in the world and all coaches except Rassie are useless etc



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