There's something a little bit menacing about the way Eddie Jones says 'mate' at the end of a sentence.
During the post-match press conference on Saturday, the England head coach was questioned about Mike Brown's boot connecting with Conor Murray's head during a ruck.
With just under ten minutes remaining in the game, and Ireland in a dangerous attacking position, Brown took several swings at the ball, making contact with the Irish scrum-half's head. Murray would require stitches post-game as a result of the incident.
One Irish journalist sought Jones' opinion about the incident, asking whether or not the Aussie felt it was a reckless move from the England fullback.
Jones stood firm, directing that referee Romain Poite had made a judgement on it during the game.
Here's the transcript (via 98FM).
Irish journalist: Do you think Mike Brown was lucky to stay on? He took a few swings at Conor Murray when he was on the ground.
Eddie Jones: Well, the referee adjudicated on it mate and it was fair. If the ball's on the ground then you're allowed to kick it aren't you.
IJ: Do you not think it was a bit reckless?
EJ: Was the ball on the ground?
IJ: The ball was around a foot away from where Conor's head was.
EJ: Was the ball on the ground, mate?
IJ: No.
EJ: It wasn't on the ground. Where was it? Had he been tackled?
IJ: He had been tackled.
EJ: Then you can play the ball mate.
IJ: You don't think it was any way reckless?
EJ: Are you allowed to play the ball? You tell me what the laws are.
IJ: He took around three or four swings at his head.
EJ: Are you allowed to play the ball if it's on the ground?
IJ: I believe it was reckless. I just wanted to know if you think it was reckless.
EJ: Well, the referee didn't think it was reckless.
Second Irish journalist: So you're not going to give an opinion.
EJ: Why should I, mate?
IJ2: Well, that's what a press conference is about. We ask you your opinion...
EJ: Well you can give your opinion, mate. The referee adjudicated on it. If I say something about the referee, then the headline tomorrow is 'Jones complains about the referee'. So, I'm not going to give an opinion, mate.
English journalist: Did you watch the Wales game last night?
EJ: I definitely did, mate.
English journalist: What did you make of it?
EJ: I'm not going to tell you, mate. From this press conference on, I'm putting a media ban on myself. Cos I don't want to do any scaremongering. I don't want to do anything that offends the media or offends people's parents. So, from here until the Friday before the Wales game, I'm not talking to the media. So, you won't have to worry about that scaremongering and all that sort of thing.
You can watch a partial clip of Jones' battle with the Irish media below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwqE9S_6Z3w
