Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has taken one last swipe at Aussie media, as he boards a plane for the Rugby World Cup in France.
After dropping former captain Michael Hooper and enigmatic first-five Quade Cooper from his squad, Jones was also bombarded with questions over the sudden resignation of assistant coach Brad Davis, just hours before departure, and didn't take kindly to the cross-examination.
"I can't believe the negativity here, boys," he told reporters. "None of you guys think we can do any good, that's alright.
"The challenge is for us, as a group to show we can. I enjoy it when people say you can't do it.
"Thanks for the worst press conference I've ever had in world rugby... give yourself uppercuts."
Eighteen years after he previously held the position, Jones, 63, was recalled as Australia coach to replace Kiwi Dave Rennie in January, but his second stint is off to the worst-possible start, with four losses from four outings, including back-to-back Bledisloe Cup defeats to the All Blacks.
With Australia due to host the next World Cup in 2027, confidence in the national team is at an all-time low, but Jones has done his best to talk up their chances in the France tournament's softest pool, consisting of Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.
He has shrugged off Davis' departure, handing out a backhanded insult in the process.
"Family reasons, mate," he said. "I think there's an opportunity for us and I think we'll improve our coaching staff.
"We had a discussion a couple of nights ago. There is a potential candidate ready to step up now."
Jones has been grilled over how Wallabies legend Hooper and 79-test veteran Cooper were informed of their omissions, amid reports that some unsuccessful candidates had to ring management to find out if they were required for a Darwin training camp.
"Not to my knowledge," he responded, when asked if 125-test Hooper was one of them.
Jones admits Cooper has refused to take his phone call with the bad news.
"I've tried to, mate, but I can't get hold of him. I think he's very upset, mate.
"I don't know why you're going back to that. We've tried to ring him, that's all we can do."
Australia have a final warm-up fixture against France on August 28 (NZ time), before opening their World Cup account against Georgia on September 10.
