VIDEO: Eddie Jones sends Boks a message in Italian ... and a few other quips
Eddie Jones, in his second stint as Australia coach, has had a few ‘choice words’ for South Africa ahead of their face-off in the Rugby Championship opener at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Jones, who succeeded sacked New Zealander Dave Rennie in January after the Wallabies lost nine of 13 internationals last season, was in entertaining form – firing off a series of quips at the media and also directed at the Springboks.
Jones retained only six of the starters from their last Test – a dramatic 39-34 triumph over Wales in Cardiff last November.
In the backline, Jones has kept faith in fullback Tom Wright and centres Len Ikitau and Reece Hodge for a match at a venue where the Wallabies have lost all seven previous encounters with the Boks.
Props James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa retain their places in the pack, as does lock Nick Frost in a starting line-up containing one new cap, flank Tom Hooper.
The nine changes include wings Suliasi Vunivalu and Marika Koroibete, flyhalf Quade Cooper and scrumhalf Nic White being brought into the backline.
Hooker David Porecki, giant France-based lock Will Skelton, flanks Michael Hooper and Tom Hooper and No.8 Rob Valetini have been drafted into the pack.
Speaking to the media after the team announcement, Jones was good value for those seeking entertainment and no value for those hoping for some spicy content.
He spoke about ‘tackling the ghosts from games gone past’ – all those previous losses at Loftus.
Replying to a lone Italian journalist showing interest in this Southern Hemisphere showdown, Jones greeted him with a proud: ‘Buongiorno [good morning]’.
The Wallaby mentor then boasted that he had been practicing his Italian.
(WATCH as Australia coach Eddie Jones produces a few classic quips in the build-up to the Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday…)
“Bello ciao, bello ciao, bello ciao, ciao, ciao [bye, bye],” Jones said, adding: “That’s how we’ll play them on Saturday.
“We must meet fire with fire and when we get the opportunity to play quicker, we will play quicker.”
He suggested that there will be nothing calm, or ‘Zen’, about a Test in Pretoria – a place where “brandy and coke” fuels the passion.
However, the Wallabies will “roll their sleeves up” and meet the Springbok challenge head-on.
The Springboks have split their squad, with some big names part of an advanced squad that headed to New Zealand this week to start preparations for the upcoming clash with the All Blacks.
Asked about the strengths of the Springboks that will appear at Loftus, Jones made it clear they have focussed on themselves – rather than being concerned about the opposition.
“We are a new team that wants to play our style,” Jones said, adding: “Whatever team runs out on Saturday will play with the pride of South Africa behind them.
“We need to meet that challenge.”
Jones also said they have tried to “tackle the ghosts” of the seven previous Wallaby teams that could not win in Pretoria.
“We have tried to take on the concept of playing at altitude.
“We have tried to take on the concept of playing in [font of] a fierce crowd. Pretoria is probably the loudest crowd you experience around the world.
“We are looking forward to seeing what we can do in that [environment].
“What a fantastic opportunity.”
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- Picture credit Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU media
