Dave Rennie has revealed how night-time spells on Skype will help him settle into the Wallabies job.
Currently the boss of Scottish club Glasgow Warriors, Rennie has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal as Australia’s new head coach and will join the Wallabies at the end of the current UK season.
“I’ve got a bit of work to do from an Australian perspective,” said Rennie, who was appointed in the wake of Michael Chieka’s departure following the Wallabies’ World Cup quarter-final exit.
“We’re sorting out staff, not just coaches but the whole staffing group, and it’s an extensive review.
“I can get my Glasgow work done, and then at 10pm (local time) jump on Skype and have a chat with the guys who are driving it on the grass.
“It makes you busy, but it doesn’t detract from my focus and my primary role.”
Rennie says he is not a big sleeper – “five or six hours is plenty” – and is used to working across different time zones due to his move from the New Zealand-based Chiefs to Glasgow in 2017.
The 56-year-old former New Zealand U20 coach, is also planning to visit Australia in the new year to acquaint himself further with his new role.
“We do get a break at the start of Six Nations when I’ll spend a couple of weeks in Australia,” Rennie said at the Guinness PRO14 league’s media day in Cardiff.
“I’ll be meeting some people and getting around Super Rugby and making strong connections.
“I’m comfortable I can make that happen. It was important to me that I complete my contract here.
“I made a commitment and want to see that out. Australia have been great in that regard to allow me to do that.”
Attack coach Scott Wisemantel, who this week left the England set-up, is expected to join the Australia coaching staff.
“I’m not convinced he’s signed, so I won’t comment,” Rennie said.
“But it’ll be great to have him on board. He’s high quality.”
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Too good. I wish I’d said that...
Jockstar
Guest
They get paid a fortune results don’t matter. He will get no better than 40% win rate
Puff
Guest
Under the current circumstances any person who desires to coach the Wallabies must have courage and determination. The departing incumbent never offered the code much to smile about during his tenure so Rennie will probably undertake a ground up rebuild. With the weight of public expectation, failure to achieve progressive positive results will offer him little rest bite. If he doesn’t receive the level of support eluded to, by Rarlene Castles and associates. This assignment will definitely change his sleeping pattern. Making his 5/6 twilight hours scratchy, friendless and whatever the results, he will continuously receive unwarranted criticism.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Folau doesn’t need RA’s money. The Roar and TV stations are publishing his sermons to a much bigger audience than he could hope for.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
He'll have to work long hours to keep the Wallabies #6 ranking while RA battles on with reduced income.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Great calls! Amen :laughing:
Geno from Brisbane
Guest
I bet he's sleeping just fine.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
What this country needs is a solid fly half.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Rennie sounds like Winston Churchill but looks like Winston Peters. I hope that he doesn’t have a Gallipoli or an invasion of Italy like plan.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Guest
"The Lord will provide" The Bible. "What this country needs is more prayer" Scott Morrison, July 2019. Actually, what this country needs is a bit more reality and a bit less delusion. Mr Morrison the country is hot and burning, so let the Fire Brigade chiefs into your office to tell you we need more than one water-dumping aircraft and to stop feeding coal into the fire. Mr Cheika the fans didn't give a rats about how the Wallabies played as long as they won. Mr Folau your claim to be captaincy material is just a lawyer's ambit claim, and for you to sign your name to it is simple greed. You've gone from 'beyond a joke' to 'alternate reality'.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
All he needs to do is make Izzy captain and the silverware will flow in!