Eddie Jones has been forced to respond to criticism after Australia suffered their worst loss in World Cup history - with a number of rugby's biggest names taking aim at the embattled coach.
Less than a year into his second run as Wallabies coach, the 63-year-old has found himself on the receiving-end of two embarrassing defeats in France, with the latest 40-6 result against Wales a record-low for the side.
The loss comes just days after reports from The Sydney Morning Herald emerged linking Jones to the Japanese head coaching role, sparking plenty of question marks across the sport.
After losing to Fiji in their second group stage match, Australia are now on the brink of missing the knockout stages for the first time in World Cup history as the code hits rock-bottom Down Under.
MORE: Wallabies player ratings following 40-6 loss to Wales
Eddie Jones responds to Wallabies record World Cup loss
Speaking to the media post-game, Jones apologised to Aussie fans but reiterated his commitment, which is slated to run through the next World Cup on home soil in 2027.
“I apologise to all the Australian supporters... our performance wasn’t up to the standards required - I take full responsibility for that," he said.
“I remain committed to the Australia project. I still believe I am the person to turn things around.
“I was put in this job to turn Australia around and I don’t think I could have done it with the players we had. This is the most painful time but also the best time to learn for young players.
“I take umbrage to people questioning my commitment to the Australia job.”
With their final group stage match against Portugal scheduled for October 2nd, the Aussies would need to record a victory and have results go their way in order to make it out of the pools.
Rugby union greats take aim at Wallabies, Eddie Jones
Following the shock loss to the Welsh outfit, some of rugby union's biggest names have slammed Jones, including dual-code international Sonny Bill Williams.
Speaking on Stan Sport, the former All Black and Kiwis sensation claimed the noise around Jones' lack of commitment to the cause has had an impact on the Wallabies.
“That second-half team looked like a team that just lost belief, they didn’t believe in themselves. And that starts from the head in the sheds, the guy that’s telling them to get up,” he said.
"From a player’s point of view – I’m not following a guy that’s sitting, having a meeting with another national team potentially looking for another job days before you’re hopping on the plane to come to this World Cup.
“All I can speak on is my experience as a player. As a player, if a coach shows his characteristics and does things like that, I’m not going to follow him into battle. I’ve got to be prepared to die for a coach and give my heart and soul.”
Wallabies great David Campese was among those to take to social media to condemn the display from the Wallabies.
Jones made the tough calls to drop the likes of Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper from the squad heading into the tournament, and those decisions look to have backfired.