‘I don’t like the tone of the question mate.’
The dreaded Eddie Jones ‘mate’. If he brings it out, and stares right at you, you know you’re in the firing line.
The England coach was attempting to soak up his team’s win over Australia – his home country and a side he once managed – before a player he had once given a Test debut to.
Midway through the post-match press conference, former Waratahs and Wallabies flanker Stephen Hoiles asked this bizarre question:
You seem to be in the press a bit more than Donald Trump this week.
“And the lads were pumped up, there was a bit of moisture out there and I think you and [Skills coach] Glen [Ella] had a good moment, looked lubed up and a fair bit of shrinkage. How did you enjoy that moment with your old mate Glen up in the box?”
Jones glowered at Hoiles, who he had capped as Australia boss back in 2004. He responded:
“Sorry? Repeat the question mate, I don’t like the tone of the question mate. Are we not allowed to enjoy a win mate?”
Hoiles, rightly, did not repeat the question and the room fell awkwardly silent for several moments before rugby chat resumed. Jones simmered for a while after and later told print journalists that both he and England had been disrespected by “disgusting” behaviour from the local media.
Hoiles has since apologised for the odd Q&A and insisted he was merely trying to have a bit of fun with Jones. The Fox Sports show he works for airs this Wednesday so there may be some context to the question then.
Another log for the fire ahead of Saturday’s second Test.
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