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Eddie Jones has angrily hit out at reports suggesting he was looking to leave the Wallabies to join Japan, saying he is fully committed to leading Australia to the next Rugby World Cup.
The Wallabies coach also apologised to supporters following the humiliating 40-6 defeat to Wales which left Australia facing almost certain elimination from the tournament.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sunday that Jones spoke with Japan officials on the eve of Australia's World Cup campaign getting under way in France.
Jones denied any knowledge of the talks when confronted by journalists after the match.
"I don't know what you are talking about, mate," Jones, who is contracted to the Wallabies until after the 2027 World Cup, said, fixing the journalist with an icy stare.
Later, he shut down questions on the topic, threatening to walk out of the press conference if the line of questioning did not stop.
"I really take umbrage to the questioning … people questioning my commitment to coaching Australia," he said.
"I've been working non-stop since I've come here, and I apologise for the results … but to doubt my commitment to the job is a bit red hot."
Although competitive through the first half, the Wallabies were blown away by Wales — who finished fifth in this year's Six Nations — in the second half.
Heartbroken skipper David Porecki said the defeat — a record against Wales and the heaviest the Wallabies have ever suffered at the World Cup — was "nothing to do with the outside noise".
"I don't think many of the boys were aware of anything to be honest," Porecki said.
"We had a good week of prep, probably our best week of prep and we didn't turn up tonight."
Jones has faced a barrage of criticism for selecting a largely inexperienced side for this tournament — the Wallabies have the youngest average age of any squad in France — as well as leaving established stars such as Quade Cooper and ex-skipper Michael Hooper at home.
The 63-year-old has repeatedly stood by those decisions and remained steadfast in his belief that the Wallabies had to adapt in order to improve.
"I was put in this job to turn Australia around. I don't think I could have done it with the players that had been playing," Jones said.
"Sure, young guys struggled in the environment today, but unless they get that experience they are not going to mature into the players they can be.
"This is the most painful time, don't get me wrong, but it's also the best learning time for young players."
Jones, who was re-appointed as Wallabies coach in January following his sacking from England after losing seven of his last 12 Tests.
His eight games in charge this year have resulted in seven defeats, with just a single win against the 11th-ranked Georgia earlier in the tournament.
Jones said that despite the pain Wallabies fans were currently feeling, he was convinced his approach was the right one.
"Whenever we start the job you want to win games and create the best team we can but there is a process involved.
"A process, unfortunately, takes time, takes some pain — sometimes it takes more pain than it does pleasure.
"I have no doubt what I set out to do.
"While it looks at the moment like it's a shambles, I can guarantee it's not."
Jones received backing from former skipper Hooper, who was controversially left out of the squad for France due to question marks over his fitness.
Hooper, 31, who has 125 Wallabies appearances and has played the most games of anyone as captain of Australia, told Stan Sport that Jones was fully committed.
"No-one is up for more hours than Eddie. There's no lack of desire from that guy to make that team the best it can be," he said.
"People will come under fire … but let's pull the breaks off Eddie.
"Players, coaches, they're putting their nuts on the line … Let's not have a crack at the bloke."
Although qualification to the pool stages is still mathematically possible, the Wallabies need a wildly improbable sequence of results to go their way in order for it to happen.
And, should the Wallabies fail to progress out of the pool stage it will mark their worst ever performance at a World Cup.
Jones said that in itself this was a clear remit for wider change across the entire Rugby Australia system.
"I came back to Australia trying to help," Jones said.
"At the moment I am not giving much help, am I? But that doesn't mean my commitment to helping has changed.
"I am a proud Australian, I hate to see Australian rugby do as poorly as we have been doing, particularly under my reign.
"It's not only the Wallabies we have got to improve, we've got to treat the whole system of Australian rugby.
"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."
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