Rugby Australia “has to” appoint an Australian as the next coach, according to former Wallabies fullback Matt Burke, following the “catastrophic fail” that was Eddie Jones’s brief tenure.

Burke claims that Jones is leaving “rubble” behind him as he walks away from his five-year contract after less than a year, despite having repeatedly stated his commitment to Australian rugby before, during, and after his team’s disastrous World Cup performance in France.

The front-runners to succeed Jones include former Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar, who has a contract exit clause with Leicester, and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.

Burke, a Wallabies player who appeared in 81 Test matches, pleaded with RA to “move on” from former coach Michael Cheika, who led Argentina to the World Cup semifinals, saying he was the wrong man for the disarray the sport is currently experiencing.

He stated on Monday morning, “I think they need to move on from that.”

“Do they have an eye similar to Stephen Larkham’s? In 2015, he worked for Cheika for a while. Is he old enough to switch like that? Without a doubt, it must be an Australian.

“Hopefully, they steer Australian rugby in the right direction.”

Burke was harsh on Jones for how he handled his brief tenure as manager as well as his departure despite Jones’s persistent connections to the head coaching position in Japan, which he has denied he is leaving.

According to Burke, Jones had left the sport in a worse state than when he took over, with his “erratic” decision-making and poor World Cup selections.

He said on Big Sports Breakfast that the Wallabies are viewed less favorably than Qantas.

“Perhaps it is better for rugby in Australia. Jones would always claim that he didn’t have the resources, but looking back, it turns out that he made the wrong decision.We were all taken in by Eddie Jones’s hype. Take a look at what he accomplished with England in 2015; it was an utter failure. “What was most frustrating was his inconsistent decision-making over the last six months.” Burke claimed that if Jones accepted the Japan position, it would also damage his reputation and legacy.

“His name will plummet greatly in the ranks from where he was and what he has done if he bails and goes across there, because legacy and integrity are so fundamental to what is sport and business,” he declared. Rugby Australia has not yet provided an official statement regarding Jones’s departure.