Eddie Jones has been embroiled in an angry exchange with Australian fans, who have accused the England head coach of being “a traitor”, following the series decider in Sydney on Saturday. Rugby Australia condemned the behavior as “completely unacceptable” after videos emerged on social media in which Jones reacted furiously to insults.
Videos of two incidents have emerged following England’s 21-17 win in Sydney to clinch the series. In one of the incidents, a supporter, who is seen holding a beer, can be heard being asked to ‘spray’ Australian-born Jones before pointing the finger at the former Wallabies head coach and saying: ” You are a traitor.”
Jones, who was with the Rugby Football Union and stadium security guards at the time, is obviously offended by the jibe and approaches the fan, before replying: “What did you say? What did you say? Come here and say it. Come here and say it. Come here and say it.
Another security guard can also be heard saying to the supporter, “I already spoke to you.” In the second video, Jones is again referred to as a “traitor” and an “angry little man” and he responds with similar fury.
In a separate incident, a man was charged by police after he climbed onto the big screen and urinated from the roof of the O’Reilly Stand during the second half of the match.
It is understood Jones was repeatedly heckled and insulted at the Sydney Cricket Ground and subjected to inappropriate comments. Jones did not address the incidents in his post-match press conference but, when contacted by the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday, he said: “The clowns think they have the right to abusing coaches.”
Jones is extending his stay in Australia and will spend the coming week in Melbourne while the squad and staff returned home on Sunday. The RFU has decided not to comment on the incidents.
Jones had previously hinted at similar abuse following the second Test victory in Brisbane when he said he was delighted to silence the Wallabies supporters who pushed him after England’s opening defeat at Perth. “You have 48,000 people full of booze and all they want to see is their team win,” he said. “When you turn them down, it’s a great experience. A great feeling. I was coming out of the coaches’ box and they were all wearing their scarves. When did Australians start wearing headscarves? It’s trendy, isn’t it? They’re not so smart now. Before the match, they arrive saying to me: “You are going to be belted tonight. Now they are a bit quieter. So it’s good. I appreciate that.
Jones has been involved in similarly unsavory incidents before, with Ellis Genge revealing the two suffered abuse from fans during the 2018 tour of South Africa. Jones was also verbally abused at a Manchester train station when he was goaded by Scottish fans the day after England lost the Calcutta Cup in 2018. Two years later, while preparing for his first return to Murrayfield, Jones said: “It happens every day. What do you think happens when I walk down the street? Some people say nice things, some people are into you. It happens every day. If you didn’t want to, you’re not doing this job.
