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Wallabies release coach Eddie Jones after bad showing

Eddie Jones was fired as Australia's head coach on Friday following a sequence of eight losses in nine rugby union internationals for the two-time World Cup champions.

Jones, who replaced Rod Macqueen as coach in 2001 after the Wallabies' first series win over the British and Irish Lions, had been contracted until the 2007 World Cup and had refused to resign.

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Gary Flowers ended two weeks of speculation over Jones' future at a news conference here.

"The ARU has taken a very difficult decision that Eddie Jones will not continue as Wallabies coach," Flowers said. "We believe the Wallabies need a fresh start and the current coaching environment is not delivering results.

"The buck has stopped with the coach. Professional rugby is a result based game -- one win in nine matches is far from satisfactory."

Jones, close to tears, said he'd worked at all times in the interests of Australia rugby.

"I don't agree with the decision, but I accept it," he said. "It's hard to describe the disappointment.

When Jones took over, Australia was the World Cup, Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup champion.

But the Wallabies have lost all those trophies amid major changes in the lineup.

Australia lost three of its four tests on a November tour to Europe, culminating in a 24-22 defeat to Wales in Cardiff -- Australia's first loss to the Welsh in 18 years.

The highlight of Jones' tenure was an upset 22-10 World Cup semifinal win over New Zealand at Sydney in 2003. The Wallabies lost the final the following week on England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson's dropped goal in extra time.

Australia lost its first test under Jones, against South Africa at Pretoria, but rallied to win the 2001 Tri-Nations title with two wins against New Zealand, including a rare triumph at Dunedin.

Jones had his critics in the buildup to the 2003 World Cup, but he maintained that his only focus was on retaining the Webb Ellis Trophy. By going so close, Jones answered his critics and also extended his contract.

In 2004, he coached the Wallabies to an undefeated run at home against Scotland, England, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and South Africa.

But after home wins over Samoa, Italy, France and South Africa earlier this year, the Australians lost seven consecutive test matches.
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