Will Skelton backs Eddie Jones' long-term vision for Australia

Australia captain Will Skelton has backed head coach Eddie Jones despite the team's dismal performance in the ongoing Rugby World Cup campaign.

Since Jones took over as the head coach from Dave Rennie, the Wallabies have suffered five defeats in six matches drawing criticism on his moves to drop veterans Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper while handing the reins to Skelton.

Their defeats against Fiji and Wales has seen them being the first Wallabies team on the verge of being knocked out in an opening stage of a World Cup as they slipped to the 10th position in the World Rugby Rankings.

Despite the call to sack Jones rising, Skelton insisted that the former England coach has a long-term vision to build the squad for the future for the betterment of Australian rugby.

"I think his long-term vision and what he wants Australian rugby to be back to, I think that is a positive.

"The way he is around the group. You see in the media he has his persona, but when you see him one-to-one, in front of the team, how he speaks, how he directs, the boys follow him and I do as well.

"He is a fantastic coach with a massive rugby IQ. We are learning every day when we are working with him."

Jones' commitment to Australian rugby came under the cloud just before their kick-off against Wales with a newspaper publishing that the 63-year-old attended an interview for Japan's head coach role possibly but Skelton said the Wallabies boss has the full backing of the side.

"I think it is something that has been knocked on the head there.

"Eddie has denied it with us. We have full trust in him also. I don't think it was a distraction leading into the game.

"I don't have to (ask Jones directly). I heard the press conference last night. I trust in there what he says — he is a man of his word.

"At the moment we are in a World Cup in France, so we are definitely focused on this. What happens after that is out of our control."