Eddie Jones after shock loss to Fiji: 'We've gone with a young team, I've got no regrets at all'

Australia coach Eddie Jones said he had "no regrets" after his young team lost to Fiji in Saint Etienne on Sunday.

The 22-15 Pool C Rugby World Cup defeat, their first against Fiji since 1954, leaves the Wallabies' knockout stage hopes in the balance.

Jones also backed his young flyhalf Carter Gordon to come good despite hauling him off following a poor showing.

Gordon was unable to get his side ticking from the play-making role.

The 22-year-old was at fault for Josua Tuisova's try early in the second half that allowed Fiji to stretch their lead as he misjudged his jump to catch a high ball, allowing the burly centre to scoop up the loose ball and scamper away to score.

"Carter's a young 10, he's going to have those days," Jones told reporters.

"I've said this before, he's always going to have those days but he'll bounce back, he's a good young player."

Jones caused a stir before the tournament by selecting Gordon as his only specialist flyhalf, leaving the experienced pair of Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley out of his 33-man tournament squad.

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams, working for television, said Gordon could have used the support of a more experienced teammate after a performance like that.

"We've gone with a young team, I've got no regrets at all," said Jones.

"We're building a team for the future and we're going to go through some pain and some of the young players are going to go through some pain and that's how you have an apprenticeship. He's got plenty of support."

'Pleased with character'

Jones was fairly upbeat despite the potentially damaging defeat that leaves the Wallabies needing to beat Wales next week or risk crashing out before the knock-out stages for the first time ever at a World Cup.

"We've got Wales