Wallabies scrum coach Neal Hatley has baulked at suggestions Eddie Jones is not the man to lead the team into the future.
Jones has copped intense criticism in the wake of back-to-back defeats to Wales and Fiji, which have all but consigned the Wallabies to a record-first exit before the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
"I'm always amazed by the questions about Eddie," said Hatley on the eve of the Wallabies' final pool match against Portugal.
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"I've been fortunate enough to work with him for a long time. I see no change in the way that this man operates.
"He's desperate to win, he's desperate for his players to do well. He's desperate for his teams to connect and make their country proud."
Jones' coaching style, and effectiveness, has been a bone of contention given his record of one win and seven losses since returning to the Wallabies fold this year.
Hatley, who played for London Irish, gave Jones a ringing endorsement.
"If anything, it's gone the other way, it's ramped up. You get closer to games, he ramps up," Hatley explained.
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"I can't speak highly enough of how he conducts himself and how he drives the coaching staff and then the team and the players and the whole support staff.
"He is constantly demanding the very best you can be, not just for yourself but for the players, because that's what the players deserve."
If there's one thing Hatley is willing to concede, it's that the problem doesn't lie solely on Jones' shoulders.
Punditry in the wake of the historic defeats has pinned the blame on systemic issues at the top and all the way through to the grassroots.
Hatley said people are quick to level blame at Jones – who himself has worn responsibility – but says the broader coaching group must take some accountability.
"That's always on a head coach isn't it? I heard what he said but everyone's responsible. There's leaders within the team, the rest of the coaching staff are responsible alongside Eddie, never just one man," said Hatley.
"That's Eddie being Eddie, he's immensely proud and passionate about coaching Australia. That's close to his heart. He's gutted about what's happened and he's got a real desire to fix this moving forwards."
In any case, Hatley is keen to remain with the Wallabies long-term to be part of its re-build.
Whether Rugby Australia, or Jones for that matter, rings in change after this year's World Cup remains to be seen.
There were sweeping changes when Jones arrived and he's been known to burn out the best in jobs prior.
"I'd love to be a part of that," said Hatley of the Wallabies' re-build.
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"I've enjoyed these five, six months immensely and the boys have been brilliant. I couldn't be more excited about staying on."
The Wallabies will almost certainly conclude their Rugby World Cup campaign against Portugal on Monday at 2.45am (AEDT).
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