The chief executive of Rugby Australia has condemned the “offensive” remarks and behaviour of fans towards England on Saturday night. It comes after England head coach Eddie Jones had an angry confrontation with an Australia fan who shouted “traitor” during the match.
In a statement on Monday, Andy Marinos said the comments by spectators in the members’ area of Sydney Cricket Ground towards England staff were “unacceptable” and “not representative of the values of rugby”. He said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour, and we are working with Venues NSW on appropriate sanctions for these individuals.
“Rugby prides itself on values of respect and integrity – as seen in the players of both teams after the final whistle of a hard-fought series at the SCG on Saturday night. It is our expectation that spectators adhere to these values of respect and integrity when attending Rugby matches – and, we would hope, in society in general.”
Footage posted on social media from Saturday’s 21-17 win showed Jones being baited in separate incidents on the night England completed a series victory. In one clip a man wearing a Wallabies cap and holding a pint of beer points a finger at Jones and twice says, “you’re a traitor”, provoking a furious reaction.
Jones goes over to the stand and replies, “come here and say it” three times, causing the surprised fan to back off, and is then ushered away by a member of the ground’s security staff. The security guard can be heard saying to the fan, “I have spoken to you before”.
In another incident that takes place as he walks through the members' area of the SCG, Jones is called a traitor again and this time he replies, “what did you say you f****** idiot. Go and f*** yourself mate.”
In a separate incident also during the Third Test of Australia’s series with England, another fan was filmed climbing on the roof of the grandstand and urinating. On Monday, Rugby Australia said the man had been banned for life, calling his act “deplorable” and “disgraceful”.
It is understood that Jones, an Australian who coached the Wallabies from 2001 to 2005, was subjected to hostile abuse when walking to and from the coach’s box — the layout at the SCG means he has to pass through sections of the home crowd.
“Clowns think they have full go to abuse coaches,” Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald when asked about the incident.
It came at the end of a successful tour Down Under in which he masterminded a valuable series victory 14 months out from the next World Cup.
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