Wallabies captain Will Skelton says that the team has “full trust in Eddie Jones” after Australia’s record loss to Wales in the Rugby World Cup.
Jones took over from Dave Rennie at the start of the year but has overseen a poor run of results, with the Wallabies winning just one of their eight matches.
Their record 40-6 loss to Wales in Pool C means that Australia look set to exit the World Cup in the pool stages for the first time in the tournament’s history.
“He is a fantastic coach”
Despite the poor performances, Skelton still believes that Jones is the right man to lead Australia beyond 2023.
“I think his long-term vision and what he wants Australian rugby to be back to, I think that’s a positive,” he said.
“The way he is around the group, you see in the media he has his persona, but when you see him one-to-one, in front of the team, how he speaks, how he directs, the boys follow him and I do as well.
“He is a fantastic coach with a massive rugby IQ. We’re learning every day when we’re working with him. It’s one of those things; he simplifies the game of rugby for us.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t perform up to those standards on the weekend and the weeks gone by, to really show that coaching that’s been happening in the last few months. That’s on the players and us owning that and putting our hands up as well.”
🗣️ “This match now means a total reset of the sport in Australia.”
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Japan links
Rumours emerged ahead of the crunch clash with Wales that Jones had spoken to the Japan Rugby Federation ahead of the tournament over potentially taking over from outgoing coach Jamie Joseph.
Despite the reports making the headlines, Skelton claims that it did not affect the side’s performance.
“No, it wasn’t addressed, and no, I don’t think it was a distraction,” he said.
“I think it’s something that’s been knocked on the head there… Eddie’s denied it with us. We have full trust in him also. I don’t think it was a distraction leading into the game.
“I don’t have to (ask Jones directly). I heard the press conference last night. I trust in what he says; he’s a man of his word. He’s got the full support of the group.
“At the moment, we are in a World Cup in France, so we are definitely focused on this at the moment. What happens after that is out of our control.”
Jones said in his post-match conference that there will be a review from Rugby Australia after the tournament, and Skelton added: “If they ask me questions, I will be honest.”
READ MORE: Two Cents Rugby’s five takeaways from the third weekend of the Rugby World Cup
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