Jones stands defiant amid criticism

Mon, Jun 18, 2018, 10:17 PM
AAP
by AAP
Eddie Jones has hit back at criticism of England. Photo: Getty Images
Eddie Jones has hit back at criticism of England. Photo: Getty Images

Eddie Jones insists he is pulling knives out of his back, having anticipated the turbulent period currently engulfing his England reign.

South Africa have seized an unassailable 2-0 lead in their series with Saturday's final encounter in Cape Town remaining to leave Jones fighting for his future in the wake of five successive Test defeats.

The Rugby Football Union has given its backing to their head coach and there are no plans to reconsider his contract, which expires in 2023 subject to a break clause dependent on performance at next year's World Cup.

England have plunged to sixth in the global rankings on the back of Saturday's 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein, but Jones sounded a note of defiance by revealing the sense of fulfilment he feels from leading a team out of crisis.

Eddie Jones is all about the detail. Photo: Getty Images"Every coaching job is the same," he said.

"When you are doing well, everyone pats you on the back and when you are not doing well, you're pulling knives out of your back. That's the reality of it.

"I've been through it before many times. If you coach for a long period of time you have your good periods and your bad periods. These are the great periods.

"That's what I love doing. I love coaching this team. If someone decides that's not good enough, then they decide.

"If someone decides I'm good enough then I will keep coaching. That's what I've done with every team I've coached and it's no different now."

Jones has faced a tsunami of criticism following South Africa's comfortable victory at Free State Stadium on Saturday, including some calls to step down.

England plays South Africa in the third June Test on Saturday June 23 in Cape Town.

Share
Will Cartwright is one of several capped Australian players in the Aussie Select 7s team for Coral Coast 7s. Photo: World Rugby
Sevens squad members named as Aussie Select 7s touch down in Fiji ahead of Coral Coast 7s
Super Rugby Pacific clubs will fine tune their preparations for the upcoming 2026 season with the schedule of trial games across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji now confirmed. Photo: Getty Images
Full Super Rugby Pacific pre-season fixtures confirmed
'Few new tricks': Force looking for edge in hunt for breakthrough finals berth
Nic Lynagh (left) is excited to link up with brother Tom (right) at the Queensland Reds. Photo: Reds Media Unit
Nic Lynagh: The latest second-generation star following in family footsteps at Ballymore