Cheika comes out firing at Jones

Michael Cheika has hit back at England coach Eddie Jones and says the former Wallabies mentor is in danger of damaging his legacy in Australia.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Eddie Jones' desire to keep biting the hand that once fed him will tarnish his reputation in Australia.

In his first press conference since arriving in London, and his side's grand slam aspirations went up in smoke in their loss to Ireland, in Dublin, Cheika was happy to get on the front foot ahead of this weekend's Twickenham Test against an England side unbeaten in 13 games under Jones.

Although he insists the pair are friends and that he respects his former Randwick teammate, Cheika said he was disappointed with comments made by Jones during their three-Test whitewash of Australia last June.

The 49-year-old is also upset about suggestions by the England coach there are issues with the Australia scrum.

Jones said those issues were ones he would address with match referee Jaco Peyper before the game on Saturday (Sunday 0130 AEDT).

"In June, maybe I gave him the opportunity to be like the goalscorer who scores against his old team," Cheika said.

"It's always difficult when you go back into a tournament against teams you have coached before and you don't know how to play it.

"Do you go reserved or get stuck into them? I know what I do.

"Even in a country like Ireland where I coached for many years. But that is the choice he wants to make and thinks that is the best for his team.

"There was a lot a vitriol about Australia... his home nation, where he coached and opportunities were given to him to grow up as a coach and player.

"Personally, if you want to leave a legacy somewhere you don't hit back at it when you leave."

Jones accused former Wallabies back-rower and Fox Sports commentator Stephen Hoiles of being disrespectful after he asked what he considered to be an inappropriate question following his team's win in Sydney, but Cheika said he felt at the time his' furious reaction was over the top.

"Hoilsey gave him a serve jokingly in one of the press conferences and I think he has since called Hoilesey and said it was only a joke, chin up," Cheika said.

"I think Hoilsey was bit a rattled by it because he's only new in the media.

"For him [Hoiles] it's his career and it might be fun and games for the other guy [Jones] but for a kid like Hoilsey he's trying to build his career."


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Source: AAP



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