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‘I’m just doing my job’: Aussie scribe reveals Eddie Jones ‘blocked my number’
By Finn Morton
Over the past few months, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Tom Decent has led the way by updating rugby readers on one of the biggest sports stories of the year in Australia.
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It was Decent who first broke the story that then-Wallabies boss Eddie Jones had reportedly interviewed with Japan for their head coach role before the Rugby World Cup.
Hours before the Wallabies’ record 40-6 World Cup defeat to Wales in Lyon, the story went live on the SMH. Decent also asked Jones about the apparent interview a couple of times after the defeat.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, mate,” Jones adamantly denied at the press conference.
For the months that followed, Jones continued to reject the idea that he was looking elsewhere less than a year into a five-year deal with Rugby Australia, but everyone knows how that ended.
Jones was officially unveiled as Japan’s new head coach on Wednesday. Decent flew to Tokyo and continued to seek answers at a press conference on Thursday.
“Ultimately we labelled it a first-round interview for a reason, we obtained a screenshot of that interview which said first-round interview, Eddie Jones, JRFU,” Decent told SEN 1170 Afternoons.
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“We also spoke to individuals who were very close to the situation. They told us things which we haven’t printed… which would absolutely indicate that it wasn’t just having a chat to a recruiter about (his experiences) as Japan coach.
“I think Eddie was being a bit cute there and got concerned a bit. I don’t think they understand exactly what we had.
“It’s an interesting spin that as well. Funnily enough, the Japan chairman who (said) it was only recruiters that Eddie was speaking to, well he was on the call as well and we proved that.”
Before flying out to Europe ahead of the Rugby World Cup, Jones infamously told a group of reporters at Sydney Airport to “give yourselves uppercuts” during a press conference.
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Decent has now revealed that ‘Eddie’ “blocked my number” after that media opportunity which Jones considered to be far too negative ahead of the sport’s showpiece event.
“I think Eddie understands the journalism game, I’m just doing my job and his job is to coach a rugby (team).” Decent said.
“He blocked my number after that famous Sydney airport press conference where he went (off at) a few reporters. I never really got to the bottom of why.
“Then obviously a few days later it emerged that he had been speaking to Japan, the only exchanges I’ve had with him have been at press conferences.
“They’ve been tense and make for good TV fodder as well but ultimately, we were just trying to ascertain the truth. It’s not just me against him or the herald against him, it’s Australian rugby fans who deserve to know his true intentions.”
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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