Sonny Bill Williams slams Eddie Jones after ‘comical’ Wallabies stint as All Blacks singles out ex-Australia coach’s ‘disgusting’ comments
- Sonny Bill Williams has slammed Eddie Jones
- Jones oversaw a disastrous spell with the Wallabies
- Williams labelled Jones’s tenure ‘comical’
Sonny Bill Williams has launched a withering attack on Eddie Jones following the 63-year-old’s acrimonious Wallabies exit.
Jones quit as Australia coach last month after a disastrous nine-month stint in charge of his nation, with the Wallabies dumped from the Rugby World Cup at the earliest stage possible, while questions over his loyalty mounted.
Jones opted for a young squad, snubbing the likes of Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley, but their preparations were rocked when reports emerged of a secret meeting with the Japanese federation.
He initially denied that any meeting took place, but has since openly expressed his interest in the vacancy following his departure from Australia.
An unimpressed Williams insisted that Jones’s behaviour speaks volumes to his character.
Sonny Bill Williams has slammed Eddie Jones for his ‘comical’ Wallabies tenure
Jones overaw the Wallabies’ disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign in France
‘Obviously, he had that meeting,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘It says a lot about his character to be honest. It’s comical. I still can’t believe it.
‘I saw straight through his antics and his big-talking. This is a bloke who has a track record of burning bridges.
‘The things that he’s done … if he was a player, you wouldn’t stand for it. It’s quite nice that they are being held accountable, just like players are.’
He also disagreed with the call to drop experienced trio Hooper, Cooper and Foley and Jones’s assessment that those players were not the right role models for his team.
‘I found those comments disgusting,’ Williams said.
‘I was really upset for those lads. The sad thing was that he couldn’t just leave with dignity. He had to leave with some firing shots by calling Hooper, Foley and Quade not role model material? What does that make him?
‘I see this as the reset Australian rugby needs. Phil Waugh is talking about some really good things, especially strategies into Western Sydney. As rugby fans we all want to believe in something.
‘Transparency is key. With the talent Australia has, something special could happen. I love the idea of bringing everything under the one umbrella from Rugby Australia. The only way is up.’
Williams blasted Jones’s links with Japan and his comments on experienced players
Rugby Australia have since removed Hamish McLennan as chairman after a torrid 2023, with Daniel Herbert taking over.
‘I commend the board on making the decision and not fussing around,’ Williams added.
‘I called it before the World Cup with Eddie … that it wasn’t the right thing and it backfired tremendously. Egos need to be left at the door. The public deserves better and so do these players.
‘A lot of people forgot about Dave Rennie’s leadership. Australia beat South Africa twice and came close to New Zealand.’
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