Eddie Jones has defended Owen Farrell’s controversial tackling technique after another lucky escape for his co-captain against Australia, insisting: “I like people being hit hard.”
Owen Farrell has got away with it twice – he won’t a third time | Nick Evans
The Australia head coach, Michael Cheika, was furious his side were not awarded a penalty try for Farrell’s no-arms tackle on Izack Rodda, branding the decision “ludicrous”, but while Jones admitted his fly-half’s approach is risky, he will not encourage him to change his ways.
Farrell used his shoulder to prevent Rodda scoring a try on the stroke of half-time on Saturday. The referee Jaco Peyper opted against awarding a penalty try and did not consult the TMO, offering the bizarre explanation that the Wallabies lock had also dropped his shoulder.
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Jonny Sexton wins World Rugby Player of the Year
Johnny Sexton was crowned World Rugby Player of the Year on Sunday on a night of sweeping success for Ireland. Joe Schmidt scooped the coach of the year award, with Ireland named team of the year in a triple win for the 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam winners at the World Rugby Awards.
British and Irish Lions fly-half Sexton has become the first northern hemisphere winner of World Rugby’s top accolade since France’s Thierry Dusautoir in 2011.
“It’s been an incredible year for Irish rugby, to win everything we could, really,” Sexton said. “Teams try to peak for World Cup years. People ask have we peaked too soon? Well we haven’t peaked, so we’re just getting better and hopefully we can continue to do that. You have to improve ahead of the general curve. We know everyone else is going to get better. We’ve got to deal with being favourites and I’m sure we can do that.”
Sexton’s stunning drop-goal on the 41st phase of the final play secured Ireland a 15-13 win over France in Paris, as Schmidt’s men set the ball rolling on just their third-ever Grand Slam.
The lynchpin playmaker also guided Leinster to the PRO14-Champions Cup double, before starring when Ireland toppled back-to-back world champions New Zealand 16-9 in Dublin earlier this month. PA