The Wallabies have sacked coach Dave Rennie with fast impact, saying that Eddie Jones will substitute him for the 2023 World Cup in a shocking improvement.
Jones has signed a five-year deal and can begin on January 29, with Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan confirming the news in a press releaseon Monday morning.
“It is a major coup for Australian Rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos program,” McLennan stated.
“Eddie’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level.
“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing Rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”
Jones, in the meantime, stated in a press release that he was wanting ahead to a “wonderful opportunity” to return to Australia and lead the Wallabies into the long run.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
RA CEO Andy Marinos, in the meantime, thanked Rennie for “his hard work and effort” having been appointed again in 2019 to assist rebuild the Wallabies each on and off the sphere.
“I would like to thank Dave for his hard work and effort with the Wallabies – we are grateful for all that he has done for Australian Rugby,” he stated.
“Dave has been instrumental in developing much of the depth that we see in and around the current Wallabies squad; there are a number of players that are genuine World Cup possibilities because of opportunities that Dave has provided.
“The work ethic, the spirit within the group, and the way the team carries itself are all a direct result of Dave’s input – he has made a real mark on this group of players.”
Jones will even oversee the Wallaroos program, including that he noticed a “real spirit” of their newest efficiency on the Rugby World Cup and that the present group “will drive the women’s program forward”.
Rennie, who was off-contract after this 12 months, denied strategies he might crew up with Jones forward of the World Cup whereas additionally pouring chilly water over hypothesis he had signed a deal in Japan.
“I’m not an assistant coach”, Rennie stated, with reviews linking Jones to the Wallabies job after he was axed as England coach.
“It won’t happen before (the World Cup),” Rennie added, telling reporters he had not spoken to Rugby Australia officers about an strategy to Jones.
“There’s a fair bit of speculation about a lot of things but my focus is on this group and the World Cup.
“We’ve had no discussions around that. There’s no plan to make alterations to the coaching group at this stage. My assumption is we’re going to push on. What happens beyond 2023 is a different matter.”
Rennie winds up his stint within the prime job having gained 38 per cent of video games in cost, the bottom of any Wallabies coach to have been on the helm for no less than 30 Tests.