The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has been accused of muzzling Wallabies coach Eddie Jones after his sensational outburst against the South African Springboks in Brisbane last weekend.
Jones let fly at the Springboks, saying they were a disgrace to international rugby for their tactics in Australia’s 29-9 Tri-Nations victory.
Forward Bakkies Botha was subsequently cited and banned for eight weeks and prop Robbie Kempson for four weeks in the aftermath of the spiteful Tri-Nations Test.
Botha was found guilty of attacking Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon in the face, who claimed after the match he was bitten on his shoulder and his eyes were gouged.
Kempson was suspended for a high and late tackle on Wallabies forward Toutai Kefu, who was cleared on Sunday of serious neck damage.
Jones used the post-match press conference to attack the Springboks, saying they were a slur on the game because of their continual incidences of foul play.
The Daily Telegraph said on Thursday that in ”a blatant lack of support for Jones’s crusade against the low-act Springboks”, the ARU planned to ban the coach from making further public outbursts.
”At a time when they should be applauding their coach for his bold stand, Jones will be told to use official channels to air concerns and not the forum of a post-Test press conference,” the newspaper said.
South African Rugby chief Rian Oberholzer said on Wednesday that he had discussed the matter with ARU chief executive John O’Neill, and forwarded him a letter objecting to comments made by Jones and captain George Gregan slamming South African rugby and the actions of some Springbok players.
Oberholzer said the two unions had ”cleared the air” and the pair had agreed that such allegations would in future be referred to senior management, rather than aired at a post-match press conference.
The Daily Telegraph said the ARU’s effort to rein in Jones and appease SA Rugby carried a suggestion of backroom by-play.
”The ARU needs South African support in its bid to expand Super 12 from 2006 and have an increased representation of Australian teams,” it said.
The ARU released a statement on Thursday rejecting media assertions that Jones would be prevented in future from speaking openly at media conferences.
O’Neill said the reports ”totally misrepresent the purpose and outcomes of discussions” with South Africa Rugby.
”Eddie Jones is entitled to and is supported in defending his players and that a due process has ensured that players involved in the citing incidents were dealt with appropriately by an independent judiciary,” the ARU statement said.
O’Neill and Oberholzer had further agreed that in volatile situations any ongoing issues would be elevated to CEO level for resolution, the statement said.
Jones told The Daily Telegraph he did not regard the statement as a dressing down from O’Neill. ”Not at all, it relates to the future,” he said.
Asked if he stood by his comments and would consider doing the same thing again, Jones said: ”You have to weigh everything up. I think it’s important when there are problems in the game that you have to be able to discuss them.
”My policy has always been to be honest. That means honest to your team, your administration and your game.” – Sapa-AFP