Jones v. Jones

[Spiffy]

Just read in an Irish paper that Eddie Jones has made a complaint to World Rugby against Wales captain Wyn Jones for his attempt to prevent Scotland's Russell from kicking a conversion in the match against Wales last week, by standing in front of Russell before the ref had consulted the TMO after a disputed try.
Maybe Wyn Jones was to blame here, but such things happen in the heat of the moment and Eddie looks a right petty little tit for following this up. If anyone has a right to complain here, surely it is Scotland, and WTF has it to do with Eddie Jones? I don't think Scotland did make a complaint, and in any case the try and conversion stood. So no harm done, and much ado about nothing.
Jones has a reputation for stupid mind games, but even by his own standards this seems well over the top. His sad attempt to influence French ref Garces before this weekend's game, with talk about who really refs the match, could well backfire.
Google the Irish Independent if you are interested.

[caldeyrfc]

I'd like to know how long has Wyn Jones been captain? He's doing well for a reserve prop with just 6 caps

[Raggs]

So Alun Wyn Jones cheats by preventing the quick conversion, coach of the next opponent of the cheating Alun Wyn Jones points this foul play out, because he doesn't want such cheating to go on against his team. Coach is in the wrong?

[twitchy]

You lot should try sleeping.

[Mellsblue]

Seems a pretty legitimate request for clarification from Jones.

Whilst we’re on the subject, I’d quite like Gatland to ask WR whether players such as Hartley and Itoje are contravening the law when patting opposition players on the head and clapping in their faces after they make a mistake.

[Zhivago]

What a twat, AWJ is polite and respected. This will surely backfire.

[Banquo]

Jones v England.....this will surely backfire. Both sides definitely need geeing up for this game, and this will do the trick
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/engl ... -2nr00j57k

[Oakboy]

I think Eddie is just doing what Eddie does, just as Mr Gatland does. It's a pretty important game for both in the development sense, especially with injuries affecting things. My impression is that Eddie is not finding it easy to move England up a level. A convincing win on Saturday might get him an extra collective sense of belief in the team. If he is prepared to take any weird steps to achieve that it is fine with me even if it smacks a bit of desperation.

[Banquo]

I think Eddie is just doing what Eddie does, just as Mr Gatland does. It's a pretty important game for both in the development sense, especially with injuries affecting things. My impression is that Eddie is not finding it easy to move England up a level. A convincing win on Saturday might get him an extra collective sense of belief in the team. If he is prepared to take any weird steps to achieve that it is fine with me even if it smacks a bit of desperation.

Dors, its always been his MO. He's always done the pre match schtick, see RWC 2003.

Not sure he is feeling 'desperate' tbh.

[bruce]

Is this a new thing to go after individual players? I can't say I've noticed it before.

[Banquo]

Is this a new thing to go after individual players? I can't say I've noticed it before.

Not really, McCaw used to get it a lot. Its a compliment.

[p/d]

had hoped Jones would focus on their replacement 9's choice to wear highly fluorescent boots when sporting such pasty white legs.

[Timbo]

The whole build up is getting on my nerves now. If I see one more mention of Scarlets beating Bath, like it has some sort of relevance...

One thing Jones does have right though, is that Wales have been pretty crap for 2 and a half years, and now after one good game they’ve built their own narrative that they’re on a roll.

[Raggs]

Is this a new thing to go after individual players? I can't say I've noticed it before.

Gatland has gone for Hartley for years, always had a jab or two at Robshaw at the ready too (I believe Robshaw was the main target this year)

[p/d]

The funniest thing is Gatland's attempt to look like Paul Hollywood off The Great British Bake Off ....................... I mean, Paul f*cking Hollywood!!!!

[Mikey Brown]

So we’re all against the footballer-ish behaviour of challenging the refs on everything but AWJ can prevent the game continuing while demanding a TMO decision?

I think Jones can be a bit of a twat with all the media stuff, it’s probably 50/50 effective and not, but this seems a pretty unsurprising thing to point out.

[fivepointer]

AWJ had no right to stand where he did to prevent the conversion and the ref should have told him to get back to the tryline.
Captains have a right to speak to refs but they have no special priveleges and shouldnt overstep the mark.
Eddie making the point with a view to probably try and ensure tomorrows ref doesnt indulge AWJ.
Its not much in the overall scheme of things.

[p/d]

So we’re all against the footballer-ish behaviour of challenging the refs on everything but AWJ can prevent the game continuing while demanding a TMO decision?

I think Jones can be a bit of a twat with all the media stuff, it’s probably 50/50 effective and not, but this seems a pretty unsurprising thing to point out.

Agree. The only thing against E Jones is that his 'Iceman' does it repeatedly without criticism

[Which Tyler]

The whole build up is getting on my nerves now. If I see one more mention of Scarlets beating Bath, like it has some sort of relevance...

One thing Jones does have right though, is that Wales have been pretty crap for 2 and a half years, and now after one good game they’ve built their own narrative that they’re on a roll.

Just for you then...
Are we allowed to bring up Scarlets losing to Bath because Scarlets were incapable of playing the conditions when it rained... and that it looks like being attrocious conditions at Twickers...

Of course, it's equally irrelevant; Wales aren't Scarlets, Gatland isn't Pivac, and international rugby isn't club rugby; and that's without mentioning that Enlgand are even less Bath than Wales are Scarlets; with all of 2 starters from Bath.

[Stom]

Is it just me, or is this aimed pretty much entirely at the ref? Just a little word can have a big difference. If he's looking out for something, he may miss something else.

[Numbers]

The whole build up is getting on my nerves now. If I see one more mention of Scarlets beating Bath, like it has some sort of relevance...

One thing Jones does have right though, is that Wales have been pretty crap for 2 and a half years, and now after one good game they’ve built their own narrative that they’re on a roll.

It may be due to Jones's comments regarding Jonathan Joseph being in Patchell's eye line for the whole match, being as that didn't happen in either of the fixtures in the Champions Cup. I agree it has no relevance on this match but that may be why they have mentioned it.

[Stom]

The whole build up is getting on my nerves now. If I see one more mention of Scarlets beating Bath, like it has some sort of relevance...

One thing Jones does have right though, is that Wales have been pretty crap for 2 and a half years, and now after one good game they’ve built their own narrative that they’re on a roll.

It may be due to Jones's comments regarding Jonathan Joseph being in Patchell's eye line for the whole match, being as that didn't happen in either of the fixtures in the Champions Cup. I agree it has no relevance on this match but that may be why they have mentioned it.

Yeah...the way Bath play and the way England play is not particularly comparable...

[MrK]

The whole build up is getting on my nerves now. If I see one more mention of Scarlets beating Bath, like it has some sort of relevance...

One thing Jones does have right though, is that Wales have been pretty crap for 2 and a half years, and now after one good game they’ve built their own narrative that they’re on a roll.

Where?

[MrK]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-14268068

Unsurprising headlines but an alternative take on the AWJ try incident.

[oldbackrow]

Is this a new thing to go after individual players? I can't say I've noticed it before.

Nah Gatland has been at it a while. He targeted Iain Balshaw at one point and has had a number of things to say about Hartley (questioning mental health?), Cole, Ford (similar to EJ comments really), Farrell and most recently Itoje.

Seem to remember a couple of Aussie coaches (not just Jones!) and New Zealand coaches targeting players, Hansen had a bit of a thing about BOD and SOB!