Sport | ‘It’s obviously me’: Fall guy Eddie determined to protect young Aussie players

Australia coach Eddie Jones

• Australia’s head coach Eddie Jones takes responsibility for the team’s poor World Cup performance.
• Australia has suffered a record defeat to Wales and a first loss to Fiji in 69 years.
• Jones refuses to blame the players, acknowledges the team’s youth, and focuses on protecting them.
• For more sports news, visit the News24 Sport home page.

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