Sailor says players should take blame

SUNSHINE COAST, Queensland - Wendell Sailor believes the players and not the rugby coach should have accepted most of the blame for the Wallabies' recent string of poor performances.

Australia have lost eight of their nine past tests, with a solitary victory coming against an ordinary Ireland outfit during last month's disappointing European tour.

The Wallabies returned home with their tails between their legs and coach Eddie Jones' head on the chopping block.

The Australian Rugby Union decided to terminate Jones' contract and begin the search for a new coach in the lead-up to the 2007 World Cup.

"Eddie Jones is a great coach and I just think it's unfortunate what happened with the Wallabies," said Sailor, who is playing in the Jack Newton Celebrity Classic golf tournament on the Sunshine Coast this week.

"I just think the players should take some ownership of losing games rather than blaming the coach all the time.

"If you're not playing well and not winning games then all the players have to be assessed, whether you're the captain or a bench player.

"Everyone has to answer to the critics and I just think the coach takes too much of the blame in this day and age."

Sailor said the Wallabies had fallen into a "losing habit".

"The confidence that the Wallabies had over the years to put teams away, we've lost that a little bit," the 31-year-old added.

"It's unfortunate but what I liked is that there wasn't much back-stabbing. The boys are so tight and so strong."

- AAP