If there were any doubts the Wallabies had reached rock bottom, World Rugby has consigned them to that reality.
Australia is now only the 10th-best team in the world, marking a record-low since rankings were introduced.
After Argentina's bruising 19-10 win over Samoa, they picked up 1.72 ranking points to edge ahead of Australia, who lost 2.5 points with their demoralising defeat to Wales.
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The Wallabies are all but out of the Rugby World Cup after suffering their second loss in three Tests.
They'll have to rely on the unlikely event of Fiji being beaten by Portugal and Georgia.
Plenty has been said in the wake of Monday's match with calls for Rugby Australia to launch a review.
That, according to former Wallabies player Stephen Hoiles, is a waste of time if no meaningful action is taken.
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"All we've done in those reviews is change personnel. We haven't changed structure or systems or number of clubs – all that sort of garbage," said Hoiles on Stan Sport's post-match coverage.
"Rugby is great on a review or a process and all those sort of corporate words, because that's what rugby is meant to be about, but we're not about that. We've just got to get out there and be busier and get better and improve."
The last time a team suffered such a significant early exit from the Rugby World Cup was in 2015 when hosts England bombed out before the quarter-finals.
Ironically, it was Jones who led them to a resurgence and all the way to the final in 2019 that they ultimately lost to South Africa.
Although one could argue the Wallabies could enjoy a similar comeback, the finances of such a recovery make that difficult.
Rugby Australia is already in a massive financial hole and nearly collapsed in the COVID-19 pandemic. Attempts to raise capital have also been unsuccessful.
"The difference between the RFU and Rugby Australia is that they were financially pretty healthy at the time — we're not," said Hoiles.
"We're in a position where we don't have the luxuries to spend what they spent to turn it around. We've got to be very intelligent with what we do with our money.
"The game is at a very, very important crossroads. A 10-week review won't solve anything."
World Rugby top 10 men's rankings (as of September 25, 2023)
1. Ireland – 93.79
2. France – 90.59 (+1)
3. South Africa – 89.70 (-1)
4. New Zealand – 87.69
5. Scotland – 83.43
6. England – 83.24
7. Wales – 83.17
8. Fiji – 80.66
9. Argentina – 79.31 (+1)
10. Australia – 76.50 (-1)
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