'It's obviously me': Fall guy Eddie determined to protect young Aussie players

Australia head coach Eddie Jones said he will continue to protect his players even if he becomes the "fall guy" for the Wallabies' dismal Rugby World Cup campaign.

A record defeat to Wales last week and a first loss to Fiji in 69 years the week before have left Australia's hopes of reaching the knock-out stages in tatters ahead of their final Pool C match against Portugal on Sunday.

If Fiji beat Georgia with a bonus point the day before, Australia's tournament will be over even before the players lace up their boots in Saint Etienne.

"If there needs to be a fall guy for the World Cup then it's obviously me," said Jones.

"When you become the head coach of a team you take on that responsibility.

"The playing group has been absolutely fantastic, I couldn't ask any more from them. So, therefore, if there needs to be someone responsible for the performance, that's pretty self-explanatory."

Australia were struggling before Jones returned to the Wallabies helm for a second stint in January, having lost 12 of their previous 17 Tests at that point.

However, things have only got worse under Jones, with the Wallabies losing seven of his eight Tests, and their only victory came against Tier II Georgia in their opening World Cup match.

"I love coaching and I love a challenge and that's the reason I came back to Australia, because I wanted to make a difference," said the 63-year-old, who has also coached England and Japan at World Cup tournaments.

"I apologise because I haven't made a difference but I wanted to make a difference. I was disappointed with how the Wallabies were going and I wanted to come back and make it change."

Jones refuses to blame the players for their poor displays and said he will continue to take the flak for them.

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