Former England flyhalf Danny Cipriani has become the latest player to criticise Eddie Jones’ controversial man-management style during his stint as England head coach.
Following recent damning allegations by ex-scrumhalf Danny Care, Cipriani revealed to the UK media this week that Jones sidelined him because he refused to be intimidated by the Australian’s confrontational approach.
“Eddie probably felt that I would stand up to him too much and he didn’t feel like he could bully me, so he just didn’t bring me into the environment,” said Cipriani.
“I’ve always said what I feel and it’s only controversial to a coach who wants it to be done their way and isn’t open to seeing another viewpoint.”
The mercurial playmaker, who earned just 16 Test caps, delivered a scathing assessment of Jones’ character and leadership style.
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“I wouldn’t give him my child for a week and he’s not someone I’d want to lead my country either, because of the way he is,” Cipriani stated.
“That’s his experience of the world and I know he’s had a tough one. He’s got his chip on his shoulder and he kind of leads with that everywhere he goes – and he’s always in a fight.”
Cipriani suggested Jones’ success with England came despite, rather than because of, his approach: “You can win games of rugby, especially with England, doing whatever you want to do because we’ve got so many good players.
“But I don’t really judge you as a coach. It’s more, ‘How do you uplift the nation and inspire players? How do you get people to play outside of themselves in a bigger capacity rather than within themselves?’”
Currently based in the US, the 37-year-old added: “I was turning water to wine in one season and he didn’t even pick me, so it was mad.
“We see how that didn’t benefit English rugby, but the powers-that-be who run the game have quite clearly shown that they don’t know what they’re looking at.”
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
The post Cipriani lambasts ‘bully’ Eddie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
