Dave Rennie’s tenure because the coach of the Wallabies got here to an finish on Monday when he was let go in favour of Eddie Jones.
The bombshell news caught rugby followers worldwide off guard, coming solely eight months out from the World Cup.
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Rennie was contracted till the top of the World Cup, however Rugby Australia made the daring transfer to finish his contract and signal former Wallabies coach Jones to a five-year deal.
The 59-year-old Rennie didn’t take pleasure in essentially the most profitable tenure as the person in cost, in truth his win share (38 per cent) was the bottom of any coach with a minimal of 30 Tests in Wallabies historical past.
But how he learnt the news his time on the helm was over was as cold-blooded because it will get.
The Wallabies squad had simply come off an intensive camp held on the Gold Coast final week the place Rennie and his teaching workers went by means of recreation plans and methods with the 44-man squad because the World Cup drew nearer.
All that went out the window on Monday morning when Rennie opened up his laptop computer and jumped on a Zoom name with Rugby Australia chief government Andy Marinos.
Marinos was in South Africa when at 6am (AEDT) on Monday morning Rennie was given his marching orders. He jumped off the decision, packed his luggage and flew dwelling to New Zealand, based on The Daily Telegraph.
The axing got here lower than 24 hours after the RA board had signed off on Jones’ new five-year, $4.5m deal. Jones reportedly signed the provide simply earlier than midnight on Saturday.
RA chairman Hamish McLennan flew into motion when Jones was sacked because the coach of England in December and stated securing his signature was a significant coup.
Jones led the Wallabies to the 2003 Rugby World Cup closing and McLennan believes with the mastermind in cost they’ll win all of it in 2023.
“I absolutely believe we can win the World Cup, and I think it could be the greatest comeback ever,” McLennan instructed News Corp Australia.
“This thing can be fixed, and he’ll be a big of it, our turnaround.
“Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun ride.
Jones released a statement on Monday morning and backed up McLennan’s sentiment in believing the Wallabies could stun the world.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to come home to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup,” Jones stated.
“It is going to be an immense period for Australian Rugby – as a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years.
“The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth – if we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.
“I saw how gutsy the Wallaroos were in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year – it looks like there is a real spirit in that group that will drive the women’s program forward ahead of their next World Cup in 2025.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back home and getting stuck in.”
Jones’ tenure with the Wallabies will get underway on January 29.
