Rugby: England coach Eddie Jones angrily confronts Australian supporter who calls him a 'traitor'

England coach Eddie Jones confronts Wallabies supporter who calls him a "traitor".
England coach Eddie Jones confronts Wallabies supporter who calls him a "traitor". Photo credit: Twitter

England coach Eddie Jones has been involved in a heated exchange with an Australian supporter, after being called a "traitor", as his side clinched a series victory over the Wallabies at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). 

Social media footage shows a fan being egged on by a mate, who tells the supporter to "spray him".

The fan then shouts at Australian-born Jones, calling him a "traitor", as the coach walks by. 

Jones then forcefully confronts the fan wearing a Wallabies cap and holding a beer, telling him to repeat his "traitor" comment to his face.

"What did you say? What did you say?" Jones said to the fan. "Come here and say it. Come here and say it. Come here and say it." 

A security guard with Jones also said to the supporter, who quickly backed down: "I have spoken to you before." 

Jones later said he had been abused by the same individual at half-time and full-time of England's 21-17 victory at the SCG.

Jones previously coached Australia from 2001-05, including the 2003 World Cup final defeat in extra-time to England at Sydney.

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan condemned the behaviour as "unacceptable".

"That fan's behaviour is totally unacceptable and is not welcome at a Wallabies test, if he carries on like that," McLennan said. 

"We should be acknowledging Eddie's achievements as a great Aussie export. There's too much tall-poppy syndrome in that comment."

Former Wallaby Matt Giteau, who played under Jones for Australia, also condemns the actions of the supporter. 

Before flying out to Australia for the three-test series, Jones warned his squad to expect "abusive crowds".

"For Australians, it's the biggest tour," Jones said. "It is completely different conditions, really hard flat tracks, abusive crowds.

"The Australians are in the face. The media are going to be in our face, they are aggressive."