Smash and grab no more is the sentiment for Australian Rugby as they are all but resigned to a first-ever pool stage exit at a Rugby World Cup.
Losing to a magnificent Fijian performance last week, the Wallabies hopes hinged on derailing a Welsh train that is fast gaining momentum with each passing week.
With their World Cup future in the balance, the Wallabies pitched a total no-show unlike any in their esteemed history with the tournament.
In the end, Wales would physically overpower the Australians in a 40 – 6 rout at the magnificent Groupama Stadium in Lyon.
Facing a truly uncomfortable press conference in the wake of the match, head coach Eddie Jones was drilled on several fronts, including his reported links to the vacant Japanese head coaching role.
Whilst the press conference may have been uncomfortable for Jones, the feeling amongst Wallaby fans was understandably that of frustration and disappointment.
Capturing this emotion was a great interview conducted by Forever Sports, who spoke to one Wallaby fan who clearly captured the feeling of a nation.
Taking the heat off the Wallaby coach, the fan said, “Listen, Eddie will be a scapegoat.”
He then went on to explain that the coach faced an uphill battle given the perceived mismanagement of the sport by Australian Rugby.
“The fish rots from the head; the chairman of Australian Rugby needs to resign today.
“I don’t want to wait for his resignation, it needs to come immediately.”
Turning towards the Wallabies’ pool fortunes, the fan said, “If I wanted to watch a bunch of Australians fail to get out of a pool, I would go to a bar in Bali. Sorry, this is a joke.”
When asked how to fix the situation, he went on to say, “Burn it to the ground and rebuild it. There are no quick fixes.
“Beating up on the coach is easy. I have done this (lifting a baguette with Eddie Jones written on it). He wants us to throw baguettes at him; alright, we can throw baguettes at him.
“I am sorry, this idea of bringing a coach in seven months out from a World Cup. What are we going to do a smash-and-grab raid on the World Cup? It doesn’t happen like that.”
This was a brilliant interview from an articulate fan and really was an interesting insight into how fans down under currently view Rugby Australia.
Watch the full interview and credit to Forever Sports for the interview.
Australian Fan shares his opinion (Credit: Forever Sports)
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