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 information caught rugby followers worldwide off guard, coming solely eight months out from the World Cup.
Stream Over 50 Sports activities Reside & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
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 get pleasure from 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 Assessments in Wallabies historical past.
However how he learnt the information 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 via recreation plans and techniques 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 house to New Zealand, based on The Every day 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 mentioned securing his signature was a serious coup.
Jones led the Wallabies to the 2003 Rugby World Cup ultimate and McLennan believes with the mastermind in cost they’ll win all of it in 2023.
“I completely imagine we will win the World Cup, and I believe it could possibly be the best comeback ever,” McLennan instructed Information Corp Australia.
“This factor may be mounted, and he’ll be an enormous of it, our turnaround.
“Buckle up, it’s going to be a enjoyable trip.
Jones launched an announcement on Monday morning and backed up McLennan’s sentiment in believing the Wallabies might stun the world.
“It’s an exquisite alternative for me to have the ability to come house to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup,” Jones mentioned.
“It’s going to be an immense interval for Australian Rugby – as a proud Australian, it’s a nice honour to have the ability to come house and lead the nationwide staff throughout these years.
“The Wallabies squad is a extremely proficient group of gamers with good depth – if we will have everybody match and wholesome going into the World Cup this yr, I’m assured that we will go to France and break the 24-year drought of profitable the Rugby World Cup.
“I noticed how gutsy the Wallaroos have been within the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand final yr – it seems to be like there’s a actual spirit in that group that may drive the ladies’s program ahead forward of their subsequent World Cup in 2025.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to getting again house and getting caught in.”
Jones’ tenure with the Wallabies will get underway on January 29.
