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Australian rugby has lurched into further crisis with two leading coaches joining Queensland Reds mentor Eddie Jones in implicating Wallabies boss John Connolly in campaigns that undermined them.

Like Jones, Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie and former Reds mentor Mark McBain believe Connolly is a destabilising influence on their positions.

Jones, who received public backing yesterday from the Queensland Rugby Union despite his role remaining in limbo, has pointed the finger at his test successor for undermining him as he led the injury-ravaged Reds to seven straight defeats - their worst losing streak in 20 years.

Connolly denied he was the source of rumours that Jones was leaving for London club Saracens and claimed he was unfazed whether he stayed or left Brisbane.

McKenzie and McBain - the latter sacked after two relatively successful seasons as Reds coach in 2001 and 2002 - took aim at Connolly for sniping at them behind the scenes.

The Waratahs coach says he's suffering from the same sort of “smear campaign” to which Jones had been subjected.

McBain, who ironically took over as Queensland coach when Connolly was axed in 2000, says he couldn't blame Jones for possibly wanting out of his Reds deal due to the destabilising environment.

Jones will remain as Reds coach for the rest of the Super 14 season but has yet to recommit to the rest of his three-year contract at Ballymore.

Former Samoa and Pacific Islands coach John Boe is now based on the Gold Coast and is a dark horse, as is fellow former All Black Grant Batty.