Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has launched a scathing attack on the media as his squad was preparing to fly out of Sydney for the men's Rugby World Cup in France minus their attack coach Brad Davis.
Key points:
- Jones was upset with reporters questioning him about squad selections
- He says the media is "so bloody negative about everything"
- Jones claims his Wallabies squad has already been written off ahead of the Rugby World Cup
Winless in four Tests during his second stint as Wallabies coach, the pressure on Jones has rocketed ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which gets underway next month.
He made a number of shock selection choices last week in his Rugby World Cup squad, including dumping long-time captain Michael Hooper and veteran five-eighth Quade Cooper.
A testy Jones was unhappy about being probed about his player selection at Sydney Airport before the squad's departure on Thursday, claiming the media was obsessed with negativity.
"I know what's wrong with Australian rugby and you blokes are part of the problem because you're so bloody negative about everything," Jones said.
"We're going off to a World Cup you think we can't win. You think the selection process is bad because the players complain, so I apologise for that.
"Tell us we're terrible and we will prove you wrong.
"I can feel this negativity. I've got to wash myself off. It's sticking to me.
"Thanks for the worst press conference I've ever had in world rugby. Well done. The worst I've ever seen."
Cooper reportedly refused to answer calls from Jones, who described the 35-year-old playmaker as "very upset" about his omission.
"I tried to ring him and I can't get a hold of him. That's all I can do," Jones said during the media conference.
Jones's assistant Davis quit his post this week, leaving the Wallabies without an attack coach ahead of their first Rugby World Cup match against Georgia in Paris on September 10 (AEST).
Jones said Davis, who only took on the role in May, had resigned for family reasons and insisted he already had a replacement in mind.
"There's an opportunity for us … we'll improve our coaching staff," he said.
"There's a potential candidate ready to step up now."
The Wallabies will play host nation France in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Paris on August 28 AEST.
Following their tournament opener against Georgia, the Wallabies play Fiji (September 18), Wales (September 25) and Portugal (October 2) in their remaining pool matches.
AAP/ABC
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