Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has launched a scathing attack on the media as his squad was preparing to fly out of Sydney for the men's Rugby World Cup in France minus their attack coach Brad Davis.
He made a number of shock selection choices last week in his Rugby World Cup squad, including dumping long-time captain Michael Hooper and veteran five-eighth Quade Cooper.
The ABC reports that a testy Jones was unhappy about being probed about his player selection at Sydney Airport before the squad's departure, claiming the media was obsessed with negativity.
Jones told the media “I know what's wrong with Australian rugby and you blokes are part of the problem because you're so bloody negative about everything.”
He says "we're going off to a World Cup you think we can't win. You think the selection process is bad because the players complain, so I apologise for that.”
Jones said “tell us we're terrible and we will prove you wrong.”
He then said “thanks for the worst press conference I've ever had in world rugby. Well done. The worst I've ever seen."
Quade Cooper reportedly refused to answer calls from Jones, who described the 35-year-old playmaker as "very upset" about his omission.
Jones's assistant Davis quit his post this week, leaving the Wallabies without an attack coach ahead of their first Rugby World Cup match against Georgia in Paris on September 10th.
Jones said Davis, who only took on the role in May, had resigned for family reasons and insisted he already had a replacement in mind.
The Wallabies will play host nation France in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Paris on August 28th.
Following their tournament opener against Georgia, the Wallabies play Fiji on September 18th, Wales (September 25th) and Portugal (October 2nd) in their remaining pool matches.
[Source: abcsports]
