Jones promises Australian changes

New Zealand 34-24 Australia

Under-fire Australia coach Eddie Jones has promised significant changes to the side in the wake of their dismal Tri-Nations campaign.

Australia suffered their fifth straight defeat when they lost to New Zealand on Saturday, their worst losing streak in 36 years.

"The trick for us is to find players who are going to be better than what we've got at the moment," said Jones.

"Clearly the players we've got aren't good enough."

Jones' position as coach is under intense scrutiny following Australia's first winless Tri-Nations in the 10-year history of the competition.

We've got to work hard to find out who the right mixture of players are Eddie Jones Australia coach

Australia did suffer a host of injuries in the campaign and were without 17 players for the final match in Auckland.

Jones will meet with selectors next week to name the 30-man squad for the tour to Europe this autumn.

"We've got to work hard to find out who the right mixture of players are," he added.

"Some of that's going to come from retaining experienced players. Some of it's going to be through some experienced players having an off-season and seeing how they come through the Super 14 and some is by bringing younger players on."

Jones was also scathing about his side's indiscipline in the second half of the New Zealand contest.

Australia had fought back from 20-0 down to 20-19 but conceded three consecutive penalties, two from Matt Dunning, which handed the All Blacks nine crucial points.

"Extremely disappointing. Inexcusable, absolutely inexcusable," Jones said about Dunning's actions.

"We had them under the pump. We had them clearly rattled at that stage at 20-19 and they were clearly thinking about their game.

"All we had to do was be composed. They weren't going to score a try against us on multi-phase. We shouldn't have given away silly penalties."