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Ewen McKenzie’s sensational resignation from the Wallabies coaching job leaves a hole the size of the gulf between the All Blacks and Australia in recent years, with the team now heading into the European Tour and 2015’s Rugby World Cup in shambles. So, who will coach the Wallabies?
With the ARU intending to announce the new coach before the team leaves for Spring Tour on Friday, they don’t have much time to anoint a successor.
Bill Pulver has said that the “Criteria for the role includes identifying a coach who can lead us to victory in next year’s Rugby World Cup; represents Rugby’s core values; has the support of the playing group; and is available,” which makes an interim coach a less likely proposition than a high-profile, available option.
MORE:
» McKenzie’s resignation is a real shocker
» Ewen McKenzie resigns as Wallabies coach
» Pulver slams media after McKenzie exit
Jake White
White was very close to becoming Wallabies coach ahead of Ewen McKenzie when he took over in 2013, with both men offering Super Rugby success with the Brumbies and Reds respectively.
White is available to coach international rugby again in a month, after quitting his post at the Sharks last month and taking up a temporary position with Tonga.
Fairfax claimed this week that White’s management had “made contact with the ARU”, and there were rumours that ARU chairman Michael Hawker sounded out the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame coach. Bill Pulver denied any other coach had been considered before McKenzie walked away.
Michael Cheika or Stephen Larkham, or a combination of both
1991 World Cup-winning Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer has called for current Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham to join Wallabies coaching team in the past week, but without McKenzie to lead, both men are candidates in their own right.
Cheika is unlikely to leave the Waratahs without a number of demands met by the ARU – and that would include management changes in all departments. Cheika’s way is said to be law, which has proven successful for the Waratahs, but may have also seen the demise of former Waratahs CEO, Jason Allen.
‘Bernie’ Larkham is seen by many as a Wallabies coach in waiting, but his apprenticeship has been short. He has coached for less than five years, and has done so in a team, along with Brumbies Director of Rugby Laurie Fisher, and previously under Jake White.
Both men are likely to have been future options, with the Wallabies job coming too soon.
Current Assistants: Andrew Blades or Jim McKay?
Blades is currently serving the second year of his second stint as assistant coach of the Wallabies, having worked in and around the Wallabies and the ARU since 2014, as well as at the Brumbies with Eddie Jones. He may be a low-profile interim coach.
His work with forwards has been highly regarded, but is he the man to take the team to the 2015 World Cup an beyond?
Jim McKay was brought in by Ewen McKenzie, having previously assisted McKenzie with the Queensland Reds. McKay himself had an impressive winning strike rate of over 80 per cent in 14 seasons of coaching across various grades.
A lack of international experience in their own right might weigh on both men’s chances.
Sir Graham Henry
One of the most successful All Blacks coaches of all time, and the one who broke their World Cup streak after 24 years.
Dropping all bias after losses dished out by his sides over so many years, Henry would be fantastic – but is there any reason for him to do it?
Back to the well? Eddie Jones, Bob Dwyer, Alan Jones, Rod Macqueen, or even Robbie Deans?
Previous Wallabies coaches are worth looking at if an interim role is required, which by the ARU’s suggestion it its not.
Eddie Jones suffered health complications while coaching Japan in late 2013, and his status is unknown, with his return to the role not entirely clear. Although he has made significant comments in recent days around the Wallabies coaching role, it wouldn’t appear that he was jostling for the job.
Alan Jones
Jones as recently as two days ago was happy to blast Australian Rugby while speaking at the Weary Dunlop rugby luncheon in Melbourne. The divisive radio personality would bring a huge amount of attention to rugby if he were to step in – and lest we forget his significant record back in the 1980s with the Wallabies. He was open to the idea of coaching the side in 2007, before Robbie Deans took the role.
Rod Macqueen
Coaching from 97-2001, Macqueen’s had close to an 80% winning record with the Wallabie. He more recently took up as the inaugural coach with the Melbourne Rebels, leaving that position in 2011. Macqueen would be given some consideration, but would he want the job?
Bob Dwyer
The 74-year old Dwyer continues to have his say in rugby media and was eyeing off a private-equity bid for the Waratahs in early 2014. As a former World Cup winner, he’s remained active as one of the leading minds in rugby. Dwyer did survive a heart attack in 2013, and may not need the stress of picking up the pieces of the Wallabies.
Robbie Deans
We can safely say that Deans is out – the recent biography of Deans by Matt McIlraith detailed the disillusion he felt at the end of his tenure.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.