Wallabies legend Drew Mitchell went off on an explicit rant, after Australia’s 22-15 defeat to Fiji at the Rugby World Cup. Mitchell criticised Head Coach Eddie Jones’ selection decisions, and why he has given no clear explanation behind the exclusions of stalwarts Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper.
Mitchell’s rant took place on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby Australia podcast, in a heated outburst alongside fellow Wallabies icons Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau. Mitchell began his tirade by first commending the impressive performance of the Flying Fijians, before flying off the handle on Australian Head Coach Jones.
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Mitchell had choice words for Jones, as he voiced his frustrations on the current Wallabies side. Australia have only recorded one win under Eddie Jones, in the former England Head Coach’s second stint with the Wallabies. Australia went the 2023 Rugby Championship without a win, before wrapping up their World Cup preparations with a defeat to France. A 35-15 pool stage win over Georgia presented positive signs, but last weekend’s defeat to the Pacific Islanders sent Mitchell over the edge…
“Eddie (Jones) sits there and goes ‘yeah, it’s all my fault, I take full responsibility.’, What the f*** does that mean though? Like, he doesn’t get dropped this week, he’s not coaching next week… It’s just an empty f****** line in a press conference.
“(saying) ‘I take full responsibility, what does that equate to? Like, nothing. You’ve made some glaring decisions around Quade (Cooper) and Michael Hooper. Captaincy, there’s six captains in seven weeks. F******* explain some of these decisions to us.”
“He’s (Eddie Jones) sat there and he’s not actually given an explanation as to why Quade’s (Cooper) not there, why Michael Hooper’s not there. Well, ‘Michael Hooper’s injured’, you’ve taken Pone Fa’amausili, you’ve taken Max Jorgensen, and these other guys that are injured. So that’s a redundant point, why the f*** have you not selected Michael Hooper? Quade Cooper?”
The outburst has since gone viral on social media, and caught the attention of Fiji Head Coach Simon Raiwalui. Fiji entered the Rugby World Cup ranked at seventh in the world, they slipped down to nineth after their opening round defeat to Wales, but have climbed back up to eighth after besting the Wallabies last weekend. Raiwalui defended his side, believing that Mitchell’s commence were ‘condescending’.
Writing on his twitter platform, Raiwalui said; “ ‘…we f*cking shouldn’t have lost to Fiji’ and why is that? …let’s not take away from the fact Fiji played really well…greatest day in Fiji Rugby…nothing against Fiji’s performance…but…but…but… It starts to get a little condescending…do our young men deserve that?”
