Saint-Etienne: Former Wallabies star Drew Mitchell has slammed the tactics, selections and training workloads implemented by Australian coach Eddie Jones in an extraordinary podcast tirade just days after the side’s historic loss to Fiji at the Rugby World Cup in France.
After the Wallabies’ 22-15 defeat in Saint-Etienne, which put the team’s hopes making the quarter-finals in jeopardy, Mitchell could not hold back his frustration.
Australia’s leading World Cup tryscorer later apologised on social media for swearing and reiterated his support for the Wallabies and belief they turn things around after a major slip-up against Fiji.
However, the 71-Test stalwart took aim at Jones following comments he made after the Test around taking responsibility for Australia’s first defeat to Fiji since 1954.
In a wide-ranging chat on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Australia podcast with former teammates Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau, Mitchell criticised Jones for leaving Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper out of his initial squad.
“Eddie sits there and goes, ‘yeah, it’s my fault. I take full responsibility’,” Mitchell said. “What the f— does that mean though? He doesn’t get dropped this week … it’s just an empty f—ing line in a press conference. What does that equate to? Nothing.
Eddie Jones is under pressure this week ahead of Australia’s Test against Wales. Credit: Getty
“You’ve made some glaring decisions around Quade [Cooper], around Michael Hooper. Captaincy; there’s [been] six captains in seven weeks. Explain some of these decisions to us. Because, as fans, we’re all sitting here scratching our heads.
“A lot of the time we can sit there and defend Eddie or the Wallabies because we can understand logic in some of these decisions but there’s none of it. He’s sat there and not actually given any explanation as to why Quade’s not there, why is Michael Hooper not there. He said, ‘Oh, because Michael Hooper’s injured.’ Well, you’ve taken Pone Fa’amausili. You’ve taken Max Jorgensen and these other guys that are injured. So that’s a redundant point.
“Come out and actually tell us as fans … because now, we’re seeing the result of you not picking some of these guys.
“Let’s not take away from the fact that Fiji played really well. But let’s also not take away from the fact we f—ing shouldn’t have lost to Fiji.”
We’ve had six captains in seven games. We’ve had a multitude of changes. This is beyond just Fiji. It’s time to probably wake up a bit.
Drew Mitchell
Jones snubbed Cooper and Bernard Foley from Australia’s World Cup squad, instead picking Carter Gordon as the side’s only specialist No.10, with Ben Donaldson a back-up option if needed.
Gordon had a mediocre game against Fiji and was substituted with 30 minutes left in the Test.
“Was taking Carter Gordon off in the 50th minute almost a tip of the hat that Eddie got it wrong?” Mitchell said. “He picked one [No.] 10 in the whole World Cup squad. If we have a Quade Cooper or a Bernard Foley somewhere there then maybe there is enough experience on that field to change things a little bit on the run. I think it was almost an admission at the 50-minute mark that, ‘oh f—, I’ve got this wrong here’.
“Let’s not take away from Fiji first and foremost. I thought Fiji were amazing. I think at the breakdown they absolutely smoked us. This has been a bit of a long time coming. You talk about leadership in an organisation. We’ve had six captains in seven games. We’ve had a multitude of changes at CEO level, president level, coaching level. This is beyond just what happened [on Sunday]. We got bitten in the arse. It’s time to probably wake up a bit.”
Drew Mitchell remains Australia’s all-time leading Rugby World Cup tryscorer.Credit: Iain McGregor
Mitchell is also unhappy about the number of players going down injured at Wallabies training. Last week, two of Australia’s best players in Will Skelton (calf) and Taniela Tupou (hamstring) couldn’t play against Fiji.
On Wednesday, Max Jorgensen (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after coming down awkwardly while catching a high ball.
Jones deflected a question last week about the concerning number of serious injuries.
“From all reports and also from the evidence of two players having soft tissue injuries, he’s just overtrained them through the week,” Mitchell said. “How can you have a hamstring and a calf leading into the biggest game in our World Cup? There’s definitely an element of overtraining for sure if you’re getting soft tissue injuries. I think that’s an indication he was feeling the pressure and overworked the guys and as a result two of our best players – bigger players – probably got through too much workload that they probably couldn’t get through. It just shouldn’t happen.”
On Wednesday, Mitchell conceded on X, formerly known as Twitter, that his language could have been better. “Perhaps I should’ve had some more sleep,” Mitchell wrote. “Apologies for my swearing. A tad emotional. Just want to see the boys do well. All that being said, I still believe in our men this weekend against Wales.”
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui responded to Mitchell on social media on Wednesday, saying the general commentary around his side was a “little condescending”.
“Let’s not take away from the fact Fiji played really well,” Raiwalui said. “It starts to get a little condescending … do our young men deserve that?”
Mitchell replied: “In no way did I mean for that to come across as condescending whatsoever. I love what you and the team are doing and thoroughly deserved to win. It was more about your point in the press conference in the resources both unions have at their disposal.”
Raiwalui added: “Was directed more towards the general discourse, our boys take their licks in defeat with humility … but they also deserve their flowers when earned. Love what you guys are doing. Unique, insightful and unfiltered … apologies, just a little too overprotective of this group.”
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