Aussie boss makes Jones sweat over job

EDDIE JONES may be playing it cool ahead of a review into his stewardship of the Wallabies after a disastrous spring tour but it’s what his boss didn’t say yesterday that will be making the coach sweat on his future.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Gary Flowers was firm in his commitment to stop the rot that culminated in defeat to Wales for the first time in 18 years last weekend but was pointed in his support for the players. "We certainly have the players, I don't doubt we have the players," Flowers said.

"A nine-one performance for the last year is not acceptable in terms of team performance and we've got to turn it around."

The ARU said that the review should take around two weeks, which means Jones' future should be known around Christmas.

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has made it no secret that he wants the top job and countered the argument that sacking Jones now would upset the Wallabies' World Cup ambitions by looking to the exploits of Guus Hiddink.

"You only have to look back at soccer and they changed their head coach four months prior to their victory (over Uruguay) the other week," McKenzie said.

But the McKenzie said that Jones was probably right when he said on Monday night that he was "unconcerned" about the ARU review.

"I don't think anything's actually going to happen, there's going to be a review process and they'll make some decisions but I'm not anticipating there's going to be much happening," McKenzie said.

But former Wallabies skipper Nick Farr-Jones urged those who would swing the axe to pause and take a look over the Tasman.

"I maintain that part of the reason New Zealand struggle come World cup time is because they have been too quick often to execute coach and captain," Farr-Jones said.

"I think we should be mindful of that.

"Yes it's important that we get the right person and no doubt the ARU will be reviewing that.

"But if you are too quick to execute you'll get a lack of consistency at the helm and one of the reasons that Australian rugby over the past two decades has done very well is being very consistent in coach and captain."

Farr-Jones said he believed that the Wallabies are in a rebuilding phase and have many of the pieces of the puzzle already in place, bar one.

"The only thing that is drastically wrong is our inability too often to not secure solid first-phase possession," he said.

"In every other aspect, at the breakdown we've got some of the best looseys in the world, we've got some outstanding attacking flair in the backs, I really believe that.

"I was bloody lucky that in all the 10 years that I played, I played behind great packs of forwards and I can assure you that without a solid scrum, you can forget winning World Cups."

Jones returned to Sydney on Monday night to face the chorus calling for his dismissal but remained upbeat.

"I am very keen to continue," the coach said.

"I have never discussed any other possibility. I feel although we've had a tough period and certainly I take full responsibility for all the results that have happened over the last period of time I am keen to continue and keen to sit down and have a chat with the board next week and we'll take it from there."

Jones may be embattled but he still has the support of the players.

Fullback Chris Latham, standout player on the tour, on Monday weighed in to support Jones.

"He's certainly the best coach I've ever been coached by," said Latham.

"He's certainly brought the best out of me and for me personally this tour has shown what a good coach he is."