Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan has opened up about a variety of key points going through the game, together with the controversial second tenure of Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones.
McLennan was behind the transfer to dump Dave Rennie a yr out from the Rugby World Cup and reinstate Jones, who beforehand held the function from 2001-2005.
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It has been an unmitigated catastrophe so far, with the Wallabies successful simply one in every of Jones’ eight matches in cost and going through a primary elimination ever within the group stage of the World Cup.
In the build-up to the conflict with the Welsh on Monday morning AEST, it was reported that Jones had performed a job interview with Japanese rugby simply previous to the World Cup, which the coach rubbished.
Now McLennan has conceded he’s totally conscious of a job supply made to Jones, stating the 63-year-old had turned it down in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
“I understand Eddie has a standing offer from Japan and they respect his many outstanding coaching achievements,” McLennan stated.
“I accept his word to (Rugby Australia chief executive) Phil Waugh there is nothing in it.
“His agent also said the same thing to me.”
Rugby Australia is going through extra strain than maybe any time in its historical past, with the Wallabies performing dreadfully on the World Cup amid requires Jones and McLennan to step down instantly.
After a victory over Georgia to start out the event in France, the Australian facet has suffered consecutive losses to Fiji and Wales.
McLennan, who has additionally been abused by Australian rugby supporters in France, stated he has no intention of quitting and as a substitute has a long-term focus in his function.
In May final yr, Australia was awarded internet hosting rights for the following males’s World Cup in 2027 and the ladies’s version two years later.
In a barely regarding admission, McLennan is seeking to these occasions a full 4 years from now because the potential saviour of the floundering code.
“I feel very accountable,” McLennan stated. “In fact (the loss to Wales was) one of the worst days in my professional life, but we must seize the opportunity to fix the system once and for all.
“The pathway is clear if the rugby community wants to get behind it. I need everyone’s help.
“I’m not inclined to (quit) as we have some significant opportunities we are close to landing and I want to maximise the opportunities with the men’s and women’s World Cup in ‘27 and ‘29.
“These events will transform rugby and give us the necessary runway to fix the game.”
In a broadly splashed column from former Wallabies coach Alan Jones because the Welsh catastrophe, he referred to as for the instant resignations of Jones and McLennan.
The resolve of the Rugby Australia boss is unmoved.
“I know Alan. He’s a complicated man but entitled to his opinion,” McLennan stated.
“There are no absolute guarantees in life but I have some history of turning organisations around when the going gets tough.
“I’m not one to abandon the ship when you hit choppy waters.”
Source: www.news.com.au
