Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has played down the severity of a hamstring injury suffered by Samu Kerevi in the Barbarians v World XV fixture which also saw Israel Folau booed by sections of the Twickenham crowd whenever he touched the ball.
The Barbarians, coached by Jones, pulled off a 48-42 victory over a World XV side led by former All Blacks boss Steve Hansen.
Folau looked dangerous whenever he had the ball and scored a try in the 24th minute before pointing to the skies.
The former Wallabies fullback was sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 for a controversial social media post that listed “homosexuals” as one of eight groups of people for whom “hell awaits”.
Folau was booed by some members of the Twickenham crowd whenever he touched the ball. The booing could be heard on the match broadcast.
A rainbow flag was raised at Twickenham during the game as a show of support for the LGBTQ community, while some supporters wore rainbow attire to the match.
“We didn’t speak about [the booing],” Hansen told reporters. “It was more about the game of footy that we spoke about.
“Everyone is allowed an opinion. We don’t necessarily have to agree with each other on our opinions but you are entitled to have one.
“You can’t be punished for the rest of your life for having an opinion that most of us disagree with.”
Jones was also asked about the booing of Folau following the exhibition match in London.
Israel Folau playing for a World XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham.Credit: Getty
“I didn’t hear it, I was watching the game,” Jones said. “We want all good players to be playing international rugby and for him [Folau] to get the opportunity to play again [with Tonga] … is a very sensible rule.”
Nick Heath, a spectator at the game who was part of a group with rainbow flags, told The London Telegraph: “There’s a whole pocket of us down here. There are around 100 people who have been invited from the LGBTQ community.
“You don’t know who’s in the crowd struggling to come to terms with their own identity, who needs to see that there are people out there objecting to the presence of a guy who insists on using a very public platform to promote a message that could be causing harm to others.
“There’s no problem with him having religious beliefs — that’s fine — the problem is then sharing them on a very public sphere when you’re a role model and you have the following that you do.”
Quade Cooper, Jack Maunder and Samu Kerevi celebrate with the Killik Cup.Credit: Getty
The fixture on Sunday marked Jones’ first chance to work with Wallabies duo Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi – who lined up at No.10 and No.12, respectively – since coming on board as Australian coach in January.
The pair only returned to rugby recently for their respective Japanese sides after suffering major injuries last year.
Kerevi ruptured his ACL while playing rugby sevens for Australia against Kenya at the Commonwealth Games, while Cooper ruptured his Achilles in a Wallabies Test against Argentina during the Rugby Championship.
However, Kerevi left the field on Sunday after just 19 minutes. He appeared to pick up an injury running into contact and did not run back to make a tackle moments later.
Jones would have liked to see more of Cooper and Kerevi on the field together on the field but was confident the latter’s injury wasn’t too serious.
“Just a tiny little strain in his hamstring,” Jones said. “It’s to be expected, coming back from a knee reconstruction.
“I liked what I saw. [Kerevi was] powerful, quick, incisive. We will get him right for the Rugby Championship and then for the World Cup.
“They have had a whole week together. It’s been useful. It’s been like having a mini-training camp with those two there for the Wallabies. We thank the Barbarians for doing that.”
Cooper was impressive in a 57-minute stint. His deft chip kick over the top to set up Tevita Li for a try was just one of a number of audacious plays pulled off by the Barbarians, who piled on eight of the 14 tries scored in the match.
“It was a special moment being able to grace the field with some of the best,” Cooper wrote on Instagram. “Although it was nice to get the victory, my highlight was being able to learn and challenge my own opinions of how the game of rugby can be played.”
Cooper and Kerevi will head back to Australia in coming weeks to begin preparations for the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies play their first Test under Jones in five weeks’ time when they face the Springboks in Pretoria.
Jones described his London return as “fantastic”, having been sacked as England coach in December.
“Sun shining. No overcoat or scarf on. Just a shirt. Fantastic,” Jones said. “Seven years here … it’s the longest I’ve ever coached a team and I loved every minute of coaching here. I loved every minute of coming back.”
