In a candid and widely resonant interview, former Wallaby rugby sensation Drew Mitchell has taken a stand that echoes the sentiments of many within the rugby community.
His vocal criticism of former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones, whose controversial resignation immediately followed Australia's dismal performance in the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, a campaign marked as the country's worst-ever.
Mitchell's bold remarks have struck a chord with Wallabies fans, as they reflect the collective disappointment and frustration surrounding the circumstances of Jones' departure.
Discussing Jones's candid manner in his resignation from the role, Mitchell went in strong off the bat.
"You know, for a number of different reasons, like it's poor from Eddie" Mitchell started off.
"I am just thinking you know as players as coaches you all go into a situation or into a team, into a jersey, into a position and you want to leave it in a better place than what you found it.
"Can Eddie say he has done that? Absolutely not." He said.
Quitting on the project
Perhaps most disappointingly, the former Wallaby winger felt that his former coach would have fought to stay in the role and make the changes he had preached upon his appointment.
"And I thought he was the type of bloke that would sit there tooth and nail and fight through it until he did get into a position where he's left it in a better position than how he found it.
"All he has done at the moment is leave it in a burning mess behind him."
Killing careers
"And also to do it in a way where some players have had the opportunity of a final World Cup taken away from them.
"Other players like Ikitau would have their first and all of it whilst trying to give us all of these one-liners about, you know - eat shit and caviar and blow up the bank and not take the cash.
"Just stop speaking in riddles. Speak to us in truths, right."
"I have said it before, there's been times when coaches lose the dressing room, and it's time to go. I don't know about the dressing room, I am not part of it, but he's lost the supporter base.
Inevitable outcome
"So, in my mind, it was untenable anyway, so he had to move on."
"For both Hamish and for Eddie to go and blame it on the last 20 years. Hang on mate when you take on a job, you take on whatever has happened before you.
"When you buy a new business, you take on their debt. When you go into a role with responsibility and accountability you take on what's happened.
"You don't get a clean slate, that's not an excuse. That doesn't give you a pass mark or a leave pass.
"Hamish McLennan's been in it for three years.
"yes he has done some good things around getting a panel together to get the 27 hosting rights for the Men's World Cup and 29 Women's.
"He has done some good things but in some media outlets they are calling this appointment of Eddie Jones effectively a captain's pick from Hamish.
Further changes needed
"It's not just a mistake. He said sometimes we make mistakes and we have just got to move on. That is not just a mistake, that is monumental.
"That is something you can't come back from, that is when we talk about taking accountability and responsibility for a decision.
"For me I think he needs to walk." Mitchell concluded.
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