David Campese and Nick Farr-Jones, both World Cup winners in 1991, have led the attacks, while the coach from that year, Bob Dwyer, has also laid into the team, but Jones is remaining steadfast.

“If six weeks ago you asked us where we wanted to be, this is where we want to be,” said Jones, who has been growing increasingly frustrated with claims he is too conservative.

“I hope we’re not going to hear too much more of the ‘C’ word,” he said at one recent press conference.

“There’s opinions made but selection can only be done in two ways. It can be done with all the information available, or you can have opinions that don’t necessarily take into consideration all information,” he told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

“There’s been a lot of criticism of Wendell Sailor lately,” he said as he defended the former rugby league international’s efforts so far.

“I thought Wendell did particularly well in the first half against Ireland. In the second half he didn’t get much ball.”

Centre Stirling Mortlock will remain outside the first 15 if Jones continues with the combination of Matt Burke and Elton Flatley at the heart of his back line.

But although Mortlock is a popular choice among critics of Jones’ defence-oriented selection, he remains supportive of his coach.

“I felt as though I’d pushed my claims for the position,” said Mortlock.

“The fact that Burkie had played well in the games leading up to the Irish Test, and Argentina too, was probably a big factor in why they went for him,” he said.

He certainly feels that the work he has done to overcome a shoulder reconstruction has paid off, with increased fitness and strength the major improvements.

“Coming back from my shoulder reconstruction I had a lot of work to do but I’m actually in the best shape I’ve ever been in my career,” he said.

“I’m feeling very fresh. I’m confident in everything at the moment so hopefully if I do get a chance I can show that out on the field.”