Now that the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup campaign is virtually over, the finger-pointing has begun.

And the critics, who are lining up in their droves, can't be blamed. 

The Wallabies' embarrassing 40-6 loss to Wales in Lyon on Monday morning AEST has all but confirmed they will make their earliest exit in World Cup history.

Never before have they failed to reach at least the quarterfinals and they are kidding themselves if they are clinging to the slim hope that Fiji will stumble in their final two pool matches, which may allow them to sneak into the last eight.

Eddie Jones is in the crosshairs and much of the criticism levelled at the veteran coach is justified, following some questionable selections he made with his World Cup squad.

He must be held responsible for the Wallabies' on-field performances in France, which saw them outclassed and out-thought by both Wales and Fiji.

Their discipline was poor in both matches, costing them dearly on the scoreboard, and this is an aspect of rugby that rests not just with the players but also the head coach.

The fact the Wallabies lost all five matches in the build-up to the World Cup only adds to the argument that Rugby Australia (RA) erred in sacking Dave Rennie as coach and bringing back Jones last January.

But the Wallabies' woes run deeper than any role Jones has played during his second coming as coach.

Their expected early World Cup departure stems from the poor management of Australian rugby union for much of the professional era.

This was noted by Jones during his post-match media conference in Lyon.

"It's not only the Wallabies we have got to improve, we've got to treat the whole system of Australian rugby," Jones said.

"It's not an excuse but we've got to have a really good look at ourselves and see what we've got to do to improve."

It is evident at the domestic level that Australian teams are off the pace and it will take more than a move towards a centralised model of contracting players to turn around their fortunes in Super Rugby Pacific.

RA is committed to fielding five teams in the competition, but it must ask itself if this is the best approach, given the dearth of talent available and the financial strain it puts on resources.

While three Australian teams reached the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals — from a competition consisting of just 12 teams — only the Brumbies looked close to being a genuine threat in the finals, with the Waratahs and Reds merely making up the numbers.

Jones has previously suggested it had become too easy for Australian players to reach the professional level and it is a valid argument.

The talent is spread too thinly across five teams and this has been an issue going as far back as 2006 when the Western Force were added to the then-Super 14 as Australia's fourth franchise (Melbourne Rebels became the fifth in 2011).

RA cut the Force from Super Rugby ahead of the 2018 season, although the Perth-based side has since returned to the fold.

Time will tell if RA looks to cull a team during the four-year cycle ahead of the 2027 World Cup, but it must consider if it has the playing talent available to sustain the current model.

The performance of the Wallabies shows it clearly isn't working.

Juniors crucial to Wallabies' resurrection

Questioning the depth of talent brings Australia's junior pathways and grassroots under the microscope.

At the junior level — from under 18s down — schools dominate the scene, with private institutions having been at the forefront since the game was first played in Australia.

There is no doubt private schools have played a crucial role in Australian rugby, contributing to the success the Wallabies once enjoyed on the international stage.