England rugby coach Eddie Jones. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Wallabies say they are living in a bubble ahead of their crunch World Cup match against Wales on Monday and leaving head coach Eddie Jones to bear the brunt of criticism from back home over their faltering start to the campaign.
A first loss to Fiji in almost seven decades last week means the twice world champions need to beat Wales in their third Pool C match to avoid a first ever World Cup exit before the knockout rounds.
Jones has confronted head-on criticism of his squad selection, his coaching style and his backroom staff and on Saturday his assistant Jason Ryles said that was shielding rest of the Australia party.
"The criticism back home?" he told reporters on Sunday.
"Honestly, we're in a bit of a bubble over here. So I think Eddie's dealt with a lot of that by the sound of it."
Replacement hooker Matt Faessler, one of the many young players Jones selected in his squad, said he was concentrating purely on the prospect of playing his fourth test on Sunday.
"In terms of the criticism, it probably goes over my head a bit. I don't really receive or consume much media. So for me, that's not really a concern of mine," he said.
"In terms of the World Cup itself, and this game on the weekend, every time you put on the gold jersey it's special and I've enjoyed and relished every moment."
Ryles said there had been great clarity for players and backroom staff in the build-up to the Wales game.
"Eddie's been great this week," he said. "He's really stepped up in regards to just being really clear on what he wants and what he expects from Wales, and how we can negate that and possibly attack their strengths."
Jones has repeatedly declined to confirm that he would see out the five-year contract he signed with Rugby Australia in January, although he did suggest on Saturday he might get sacked if the Wallabies lose to Wales.
Styles, primarily a rugby league coach who also worked periodically under Jones in the England set-up, said he would be surprised if the 63-year-old did not stick around to lead the Wallabies into the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
"There's a big job ahead for the next four years with the Wallabies, which he's started already and got some pretty good foundations now, so to walk away from that would be a bit of a surprise," he added.
Wales motivated
Winger Josh Adams said Wales are highly motivated by the opportunity to clinch a place in the quarter-finals but are also wary of the threat a desperate Wallabies side might present.
Two bonus-point wins combined with Australia's loss to Fiji last weekend have put the Welsh firmly in the driving seat in Pool C and Adams said they were determined to drive home their advantage at OL Stadium.
"It's in our hands now and that's a nice position to be in," Adams told reporters.
"It's all depending on us and how we perform Sunday. We're quite aware of the carrot at the end, and it's motivated us a lot this week, if I'm honest. It's the best week we've had, in my opinion.
"It'll be a massive game for (Australia) as well and it will be a great contest."
Adams was part of the Wales team that beat Australia 29-25 in the pool stage at the last World Cup and when the Welsh edged the Wallabies 29-28 in November 2021.
"We've has some close battles with them and I think improving on our first two performances will be really important for us," the left winger said.
"Australia poses a very, very good aerial threat, which it will be very important to nullify ... and their short side attack is pretty good as well so we need to be on the money defensively."
Adams was absent when Australia won the last meeting between the two teams in November last year, scoring 26 unanswered points to rally from a 34-13 deficit in the second half in Cardiff.
Man-of-the-Match with two tries that day was Australian right winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who Adams will be marking on Sunday.
"He's been fantastic since he's come into the Wallabies setup. What a terrific athlete first and foremost, he's been a point of difference for Australia," said Adams.
"He's a big, big, big, big lad as well. I'm going to have to be on my money tomorrow to nullify that threat because he's been excellent for Australia."
- Reuters