The Reds were hammered 59-16 by the Sharks to set two unenviable new records: their worst ever loss at home and their biggest defeat to a South African opponent.

And when asked about his team's performance, Jones did not hold back on his criticism.

"We're the worst team in the competition, we deserve to be where we are and we're not going to get better until we change our attitude," Jones told The Courier Mail.

"Generally speaking we're comfortable being where we are, otherwise you would have seen desperation in that second half and you didn't see it."

The only positive to come from the match was the return of Australia lock Hugh McMeniman, but it was not enough to curb Jones' disappointment.

"We didn't work for each other and didn't do the hard things," the former Wallabies coach said. "People took easy options".

With just three matches remaining, the Reds have the chance to climb off the foot of the table when they take on fellow strugglers NSW Waratahs in Sydney next Saturday.

But Jones said it was not important whether his team finished last or second last.

Instead he called for his troops to improve their attitude or face a lengthy stay near the bottom of the league.

"This is a team that's been used to losing," he said.

"Sure we'll get up for NSW, but big deal. It's about having a real desire to want to get better and a real desire to do the hard work."