Rugby union’s worst-kept secret has been confirmed, with Rugby Australia announcing Dave Rennie as the new Wallabies coach.
Rugby AU confirmed the long-rumoured appointment on Wednesday morning, with Rennie inking a four-year contract which will see him take charge of the Wallabies until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Long touted as the man most likely to take over from Michael Cheika following the recent World Cup, Rennie had also been linked to the vacant All Blacks position, although Ian Foster, Scott Robertson and Jamie Joseph (who has now signed an extension with Japan) were all considered to be ahead in the pecking order for that job.
He will become just the second Kiwi to coach the Wallabies in the professional era after Robbie Deans, who took charge of the Wallabies between 2008 and 2013.
Rennie is in the final year of his contract at the Glasgow Warriors and will see out his full tenure with the club, meaning he won’t be able to officially start with Australia until midway through next year.
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He has worked with Rugby AU director of rugby Scott Johnson during his stint at Glasgow, and Johnson and the yet-to-be-announced assistant coaches will be responsible for working with Australian players before Rennie takes up his new role in June. The Wallabies’ first Tests of the year are against Ireland and Fiji in July.
“It was important to Dave to see out his contract with Glasgow and he will commence with the Wallabies at the completion of the Pro 14 season. Between now and June, the Wallabies Assistant Coaches and Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson will take the lead in working with the players under Dave’s guidance and direction,” Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle said.
The New Zealander had previously coached the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013 before heading north to Glasgow. While he’s enjoyed less success with the Warriors, he still guided the side to the Pro 14 final and the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup, the first time they made the playoffs in both competitions.
Castle said it was a great outcome for Australian rugby.
“This is a massive coup for Australian rugby, Dave Rennie was the clear standout candidate for the job, and we’re thrilled to have secured his services,” said Castle.
“Dave’s coaching philosophy focuses equally on football and team culture, the key pillars to building sustainable success in any team. He has a proven track record in the northern and southern hemisphere.
“When Michael Cheika confirmed he would not seek re-appointment following our Rugby World Cup exit, we moved to appoint our preferred candidate.”
Rennie, who was interviewed by Castle and outgoing chairman Cameron Clyne, as well as former Wallabies Phil Waugh and Brett Robinson before being appointed, said he was looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve been coaching professionally for over 20 years and wherever I’ve gone, I’ve immersed myself in the community and culture. I believe I can make a difference here,” said Rennie.
“There are some outstanding young men coming through the schools system. I want to create a strong connection with the Super Rugby and national age grade coaches and help them achieve their goals, which will benefit the Wallabies in time.
“When I met Raelene Castle, I was really impressed with her plans for the future of Australian Rugby and I’m keen to be part of that.”
Castle and Johnson will hold a press conference today at 11am to speak on Rennie’s appointment.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Oh look - a new diversion. OMFG! We’ve got it all wrong! The ARU have taken kids off the street who have never played before and turned them into world beaters!!! In a two week camp, paid for by us. You are truly incredible! How did you do it?! And the humility!!! Oh that’s right, you didn’t do it - the ARU came in, changed the eligibility rule, held a camp like they always have - and claim they invented the game of rugby... thereby spitting in the face of the hundreds of people (professional and amateur) who have actually supported and helped develop those kids to be the best they can be. And you wonder everyone hates you - Sorry, I mean them (that’s just a guess).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well yes it has been sudden. Our 20s went from very consistent results in the 5 to 8 bracket to a final. Our 18s have suddenly been more competitive such as not beating NZ for years. You realise an immediate change, not years of improvement, is sudden?
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Not suddenly coached better, that’s evolved over time. Suddenly U18, not just schoolboys (like the other teams have been for a while apparently). Again - we both know this , but it’s your distraction from the issue this time.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So the sudden change isn’t due to the changes made. It’s that all the schools just suddenly coached better?
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Very little opportunity to make a meaningful impact at school in particular - an additional week perhaps? The meaningful change - as you know - is the improvement in coaching they are recyat school level - especially at private schools in Sydney and Brisbane. But you, as always, avoid the important conversation. And raise irrelevant factoids to show you ‘know stuff’. Good for you.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They moved to the academy set up to prepare the players. Likewise for 20s they moved to 19s in the year prior with the national team then the focus for the first half of the following year. The improvement has aligned with RA taking more control.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
The system hasn’t changed - the schools are now U18 (and nor should it - their focus is and should be on education). But you know that... Regardless - that isn’t the point. There’s no doubt that holding endless selection trials will find the best players from the current crop and then putting them into professional-like environments will make them better players. The point is that this is the long, slow decline of the player pool. Because the entire point of rugby is the collegiate environment. The mates from other grades, the club, the community. It’s dying- and this American style approach where you only have value if you are an elite athlete is a very very large part of the problem. But you know that too...because that’s what is happening and you seem to think it great.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why did they improve when we centralised the system more then?
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Our 18s and 20s are good because they are being coached well by their schools and clubs. This is an example (that you were asking for) of the decentralised model working. Global competition is heating up and will (I hope) continue to do so. Blindly copying someone else’s model is an amateur approach to solving a problem. We need a sustainable domestic solution- and we are not on a path towards it.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
All your comments have been pointless, because you haven’t bothered to engage in the topic in anyway
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Sorry TWAS this is now becoming pointless and boring. No further responses from me, I suggest you do the same.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What’s that got to do with you? You aren’t disagreeing. You’re just making accusations and then trying to jump on your high horse over insults...
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Suit yourself TWAS. You're entitled to your opinion Dude, but don't expect everyone to agree with you every time.
Double Agent
Guest
We've all just seen a coach that doesn't need 4 years to win a WC.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They're winning
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
That’s what happens Rudy when people care. Should we canvass comments from non rugby fans in the street? Or pretend it’s an Izzy thread so that a whole heap of heavy guessers can vent spleens?
Old Bugger
Guest
No need to talk him up Gloria....his record speaks more volumes, than what I could ever do.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
And from today's SMH: "Australians Matt Taylor, Scott Wisemantel and Nick Stiles are at the top of Rugby Australia's hit list to join Dave Rennie's Wallabies coaching set-up."
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Dude you come in to add nothing and only make accusations. You have no place to say anything
Malotru
Roar Rookie
TWAS that's fine, but retorting to insults to 'win' your argument is unbecoming.