Nick Cain column: Eddie Jones turns the tables on his Aussie tricksters

England have won the Test series…and head coach Eddie Jones has won the mind games just as conclusively.  Yesterday’s succes in Melbourne was even sweeter for Jones following the spectacular back fire of Stephen Hoiles’ dirty tricks.
The former Wallaby backrower attempted to be a broadcast shock-jock at Jones’ expense after the first Test in  Brisbane – and instead was forced into an embarrassing climbdown.
Hoiles, a contributor to Fox Sports The Other Rugby Show, aimed a question laced with grubby innuendo at the England coach, and his tour backline consultant, fellow-Aussie Glen Ella.
Hoiles  spoke about Jones and Ella  looking ‘lubed up’ in the coaches’ box.
Hoiles is part of a coterie from Jones’ old club, Randwick, which has gathered ranks around Wallaby coach Michael Cheika – another of its alumni – to undermine their invading former sledger-in-chief, Jones.
However, instead of the biter being bit, Jones ripped into Hoiles. Asked whether Hoiles had been disrespectful, Jones said: “Without a doubt. You get that sort of ridiculous question from Hoiles. The Fox promos are disgusting.”
Hoiles made an apology to Jones in print at the start of the weekand  followed with an on-air apology.
Jones was unfazed. He predicted that Aussie assassins would be lurking round every corner, with former Randwick and Wallaby greats Phil Kearns and David Campese, and 1991 World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer, certain to make appearances.
“It’s part of an organised campaign. Every couple of days someone will come up with something.”
Dwyer obliged by claiming the England props were angle-packing.
Jones took the moral high ground,  refusing to be critical of either his old mate Cheika, or the Wallaby team.
He praised Hoiles for having “great integrity” after he made this on-air apology: “We tried to have a bit of banter with Eddie Jones and unfortunately the questions were inappropriate and offensive, so we put our hand up and apologise to Eddie and the English rugby team.”
Irrespective of the Second Test result, when it came to this week’s mind-games it was game, set and match to Jones.