South Africa vs England: Eddie Jones in defiant response to speculation over his future after series defeat
England must win this weekend’s dead rubber with South Africa to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat that would raise serious questions about Jones’ position
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eddie Jones has delivered a defiant response to the speculation over his future generated by England’s series defeat in South Africa Rugby.
Free State Stadium was the setting for a fifth-successive loss that has turned Saturday’s climax to the tour in Cape Town into a dead rubber with the revitalised Springboks already out of sight.
The Rugby Football Union [RFU] has given Jones its backing amid scrutiny over his position, but the Australian is under intense pressure to reverse an alarming slump that began in the recent Six Nations.
“I chat to [RFU chief executive] Steve Brown regularly. I don’t ask for his full support,” Jones said.
“I do my job and that’s focusing on coaching the team as well as I can. I’m not involved in those decisions so I’m not worried about it.
“I love the team. I love coaching the team. I’m excited about where we’re going to go.
“I realise this is a tough time and that our fans and supporters will be disappointed, but all I can assure you is we’re doing everything we can, every minute of the day, to turn this team around.
“The morale’s been very good. We’re disappointed but it’s been very good. We’re focusing on winning in Cape Town and putting in our best performance of the tour.”
England’s hopes of salvaging pride at Newlands have been hit by the loss of the Vunipola brothers.
In a yet another savage blow in a 15-month period decimated by injury, Billy has returned home after re-fracturing the arm broken at the start of the year in the first half of Saturday’s 23-12 defeat in Bloemfontein.
Billy was making an impression on South Africa until the recurrence of the problem that forced him out for fourth months and he now faces another extended spell on the sidelines.
Mako, the loosehead prop, has returned home to attend the birth of his first child and has been replaced in the squad by Alec Hepburn.
“We know that Billy has a fracture and will be further investigated back home. I’ve got great confidence he’ll come back,” Jones said.
“As we saw, his second game was immeasurably better than his first game. The disappointing thing is that he’s injured again but he’s a young guy and a driven player.
“He’s very important for us and I’ve no doubt he’s got the desire and attitude to get back as quickly as he can.
“Mako’s gone home for family reasons, which we agreed at the start of the tour. He’s having a child so is going home for that.”
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments