Eddie Jones braced to be 'fall guy' as Australia head for World Cup exit

Eddie Jones claims he remains committed to coaching Australia - and is prepared to be the "fall guy" for the nation's World Cup failure.

The former England boss, who arrived in France claiming his team could win this tournament and the next, is set to become the first Wallaby coach to be knocked out in the pool stages.

“If people have got a problem with the results they come to me,” he said. “If there needs to be a fall guy for the World Cup that’s obviously me. When you become a head coach you take on that responsibility.”

Jones, 63, has rolled the dice ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Portugal.

By dropping 48-cap centre Samu Kerevi and midfield partner Jordan Petaia in favour of rookie Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi, an already inexperienced side becomes even greener.

If Fiji beat Georgia with a try bonus in Bordeaux on Saturday Australia will be out before they even play their final pool game and put the cap on a disastrous campaign.

Jones, who signed a five-year contract with Australia in January after being sacked by England, has been on the back foot since it was reported he took part in an interview for the Japan job last month.

He again denied that yesterday, adding: “I’m 100 per cent committed to the job and I’ve said that previously.”

Given he said the same about approaches from England in 2015 before leaving the Cape Town-based Stormers eight days after joining them on a three-year deal, there is scepticism Down Under.

"I think Eddie needs to directly come out and say 'no, I didn't do a Zoom interview with Japan' or 'yes, I did'," former Wallaby Morgan Turinui told Stan Sport. "We need to know... that he is truly committed."