Eddie Jones prepared to be the ‘fall guy’ for Australia’s poor World Cup
Australia head coach Eddie Jones during a team photo ahead of the Captain's Run at the OL Stadium
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has stressed that he is committed to Australia ahead of the side’s potential Rugby World Cup exit.
Australia is in danger of exiting the World Cup at the competition’s pool stages for the first time in their history after defeats to Fiji and Wales.
If Fiji claims a bonus-point win over Georgia on Saturday, the Wallabies‘ clash with Portugal in Saint-Etienne the following day would be a dead rubber.
‘100 per cent committed’
Jones has been linked to a return as Japan’s head coach after the tournament despite signing a contract through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“All we can do is try to get better every day,” Jones said. “That is the only thing we can do.
“We’ve got a young squad here; I purposefully picked a young squad – I think they are the best players in Australia.
“There is no lack of desire, no lack of work ethic, no lack of spirit in the team. They are a great bunch of boys.
“We are just not good enough at the moment, but if we keep working the way we are, we will be.
“It’s not really about me; it is about the team. My only job is to get the team prepared as well as I can.
“I am 100 per cent committed to the job, and I’ve said that previously.
“I love coaching, and I love the challenge. That’s the reason I came back to Australia, because I wanted to make a difference, and I apologise I haven’t made a difference, but I want to make a difference.”
Jones takes responsibility
The 63-year-old has made several changes to his matchday 23 for what is likely to be Australia’s final game of the tournament.
Notably, he has named a new midfield combination in Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi while in the pack, Fraser McReight starts in the number seven shirt, and Tom Hooper moves to blindside instead of Robert Leota.
Prop James Slipper will earn his 21st World Cup cap, a Wallabies record, eclipsing the mark set by former scrum-half George Gregan.
The head coach says he is willing to fall on his sword after the tournament if need be.
“If people have got a problem with results, they come to me,” Jones said.
“And at the end of the tournament, I will stand by that.
“If there needs to be a fall guy for the World Cup, then it is obviously me. When you become a head coach for a team, you take on that responsibility.
“The playing group has been absolutely fantastic; I couldn’t ask any more from them. So, therefore, if there needs to be someone responsible for the performance, it’s me.”
