Rennie is a man with a mission.
With Rennie at the helm the Wallabies are no longer a shipwreck waiting to happen, with previous skippers thrown or leaping overboard. The Wallabies crew needed a strong leader to navigate this rugby ghost ship.
For years the green and gold jersey has struggled – struggled to impose themselves on the world of rugby, struggled to intimidate the top three teams and struggled to be recognised as something valuable and worth following.
It’s strange how far the Wallabies have drifted off course when you consider they’re the closest team to the All Blacks, not just geographically but also culturally. The two nations share common interests, strengths and ambitions.
Both countries seem to put extracurricular activities ahead of educational values.
The youth are exposed far more to sporting legends than academic superstars. They look up to sports men and women for inspiration. Legends like Tom Carroll in surfing to Mal Meninga in rugby league or Cathy Freeman in athletics, to name a few.
This focus on sporting achievement is a major driving force within Australia. You only have to look at the Aussie Olympic results to see how much effort and determination is put into sports and athletes Down Under.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It’s no secret that Australia has this underlying competitive nature lurking beneath the surface. It’s a side to them that thrives in certain individuals.
However, in some cases there needs to be a special leader or mentor to stir this competitive nature within them – an insightful person who knows what buttons to push and bring it up to the surface.
That’s what the Wallabies have been lacking, a mentor who can stir the emotions and draw out that focused competitive nature.
Unfortunately for years there’s been a negative attitude within the Wallabies environment. There was a negativity that a lot of past Wallabies carried around with them almost like a badge of honour.
This negativity is disguised under a stereotype. You may recognise it when you hear phrases like ‘underdogs’ or ‘backs against the wall’ thrown around frequently during a rugby season.
These are the words from a battle-scarred people.
This is also a type of victim mentality that’s been imposed on the Wallabies, hammered into the team by many coaches as well as past representatives. There’s a belief they’re not equal, that they have to kick and scream to be taken seriously. The Aussie battler is all nice and fluffy, but this team needs to go beyond that.
The Wallabies have to cast away past burdens if they want to be taken seriously. Allow Dave Rennie to shape and mould a strong and powerful force. It will take courage by the players and the Wallabies establishment to allow Rennie to forge ahead in a completely different direction.
One of Rennie first tasks and possibly biggest challenge will be breaking the shackles of the past, not so much in his new squad, who are yet to feel the effects of battle fatigue, but more the battle-weary public and ex-Wallabies who are burdened with negative thinking.
This negative thinking has held this team back for far too long. Victimhood has taken its toll on the Wallabies following.
Also being a victim, this is the kind of attitude that’s held many good Australian athletes from reaching their full potential and becoming great Australian athletes.
Dave Rennie will develop a new culture, a new perspective on the way things are and the way things should be.
Rennie is a hard taskmaster from New Zealand. For a lot of New Zealand players it’s a dog-eat-dog world where egos are checked regularly on the field. If a player gets ahead of himself as far as his talent or skill are concerned, he’s soon put in his place by a superior player.
New Zealand rugby players are judged constantly by attitude and work ethic. There’s no tolerance for arrogance or lack of discipline.
Coach Rennie is still old school in his principles and values. Take the recent incident with some of his key players, who were out drinking and putting themselves ahead of the team. Rennie couldn’t care less about who they are or how important they think they are. He made an example of them all. No-one is above the Wallabies jersey or this team.
I’ll expect Rennie will be instilling a sense of pride and passion that’s been lacking in the Wallabies jersey for a long time.
Don’t get me wrong, Michael Cheika had plenty of passion for the Wallabies, but it was misguided. He was a prime example of playing the victim role, and the worst part was he allowed his players to believe in it as well. This intense passion soon became deluded and ineffective.
For the Wallabies, the true essence of a competitive nature has been dormant for some time. I’m not just talking a ‘turn up and try your best, fellas’ kind of attitude but about converting it into a commitment to putting your bodies on the line kind and, most importantly, checking your egos at the door.
If you’re not willing to step up, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
That’s where Upper Hutt-born Rennie could has the potential to revolutionise the Wallabies.
Rennie knows the ins and outs of New Zealand rugby and he knows the characteristics of a quality rugby player better than most. He’s been involved extensively within New Zealand rugby, from coaching the Manawatu Turbos to coaching the New Zealand under-20s and winning three consecutive world titles and also the Super Rugby title.
He also has invaluable experience in northern hemisphere rugby with the Glasgow Warriors. In Rennie’s first season Glasgow Warriors made the Pro14 semi-finals.
For the 2018-19 season Rennie’s Glasgow Warriors reached the Pro14 final at Celtic Park in Glasgow. This kind of experience will pay huge dividends for Rennie as well as the Wallabies in years to come.
With Dave Rennie as head coach the Wallabies will be taught key lessons that will be imprinted on the players, principles that will follow these men not just for their time within the Wallabies but in all aspects of their lives.
Rennie also knows when he’s found talent or a skill set that can be utilised to gain an advantage on his squad.
So my advice is if you have a concern about any member of the squad or a selection issue, relax. Put your faith in Rennie and his methods, and be patient. Some systems take time to find maximum accuracy.
One other thing Rennie will bring – and this may be unfamiliar territory for some Wallabies and the broader community – is a culture without an escape clause. There will be no-one else to blame. The buck has to stop with the individual. The players must be responsible for their actions.
Rennie isn’t a man who hides behind excuses. His truth is his words and his words are his truth.
The Wallabies have been mollycoddled for long enough. As the old saying goes, a ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.
So batten down the hatches, let Dave Rennie take the wheel and sail the Wallabies beyond the horizon.
WEST
Roar Guru
Haha :laughing: that was classic :thumbup:
WEST
Roar Guru
should not be selected for tests due to his inexperience is naive” Trust in Rennie, he knows when a player is ready or not. Rennie's ability to build a winning team from limited resources has become his trademark. Example.. Take Aaron Cruden and Rennie. The partnership with Cruden was formed at Manawatu and the New Zealand Under-20s, and it's one which held the key - with the duo already having a good understanding of how one another liked to play. They not only talked gameplans, but the relationship developed to father-son type status, and the trust was deep. Building the Chiefs franchise around his little playmaker, Rennie spent countless hours poring over statistics which he felt told the story of player workrates, backing it up with video footage. He was prepared to look past experience in favour of players with a strong work ethic. As Rennie calls them “good buggers” Rennie also introduced a new era into NZR by naming co-captains, like with the Chiefs, Liam Messam and Craig Clarke. This was before dual captaincy and leadership groups were even heard of. Some eyebrows were raised, but he knew he wanted shared duties, and he wasn't afraid to make the bold calls. Best thing about Rennie is thinking from outside the box - one sticking in the memory being the shock tactic of offside-looking players in defensive lines, but being legal because his players hadn't opted to form rucks. It's the same one Italy used against England, years later. Very cunning man. Dave Rennie is very good, I think a lot of the Australian rugby fans aren’t actually aware of his capabilities. Anyhow, I thing you’re correct, by next year or two the Wallabies will only be better again :thumbup:
WEST
Roar Guru
I’m old school, youngest might look up to Mick Fanning I guess, or Johnathan Thurston. Anyway, NZR is going through a very interesting transition phase. Some could call it a rebuilding period. Since 2015 we lost a lot of our best players, also a lot of our experience. As well as one of our most successful coaching Teams. Foster isn’t new.. that might be part of the problem. Plumtree, the ABs assistant coach is also questionable. The victim role never really works, certainly not long term. Rassie Erasmus Is running with it, see how well it works out for him long term.
Puff
Roar Rookie
JC, point taken, we would all like to witness something extraordinary but exceptional performance require investment. Hence at times we forget a coach provides the final touches and game plan utilizing the players at his disposal. Yes, I believe we have an admirable coaching team but securing praiseworthy stats requires much more that Saturday night under Eden Park floodlights, this is the codes dilemma. Unfortunately the sports disgruntled talent has a tendency to look for increased rewards off shore. Using the green & gold to advance their profile. Trying to sponsor the upcoming world cup has certain compensations but perhaps not the codes recent decline.
JC
Roar Rookie
Puff, not arguing that there’s a fair bit of dysfunction in the way rugby is administered in Aus, but it’s also an extremely challenging environment even for talented and experienced people trying to do a good job. I’m not at all intending to disrespect Rennie’s coaching credentials; I think it’s great that he has o/s experience with Glasgow, and his comms skills seem way above Deans’, which will help him. He seems to be navigating the choppy waters so far but the Wallabies will need to deliver something more than the French series this year. I’m hoping they do.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
NSW is a basket case and will soon have to completely rebuild it’s administration. The other states look to have some stability but NSW and the club politics dictating the management actions will implode the game and we’ll be forced to rebuild from zero
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yep, consistently improving each week is what I want to see. WBs need a big uplift in performance this week.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I think the timeframe you put on it is fair. We need patience in Australia. 2025 (the next Lions tour) is my ball park where’d I’d like the Wallabies to really be pushing for top 3/realistic aspirations of winning big games or series. But a hell of a lot of water under the bridge until then. For now, I just want to see continued improvement every single week.
Puff
Roar Rookie
JC, as a rugby lounge chair enthusiastic and a regular visitor to NZ, the biggest recreational sport there is fishing / water activities not rugby. The big difference that I have witnessed is rugby of all codes there is much more structured and organized. There, inter-college national competition is of a very high standard, they don’t just teach these kids, skills & aptitude but also vision. Rennie, is not delusional he understands the investment other nations are willing to outlay. But if RA continue to have hesitancy and manage the code using uncharacteristic ineptitude, winning significant silver wear is not possible. Regardless of what you may think, Dave Rennie is a highly respected connoisseur of the sport. Further, your friend Dingo Deans advised Dave, not to take the coaching position as he felt parts of the organization were extremely caustic. Therefore portions of the team who arrive into camp are missing some skills & ability but what he can teach is belief.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
You left out Australia's greatest hero of all, that epitomises Australia never says die attitude: Last man standing - Steven Bradbury.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Interesting article, I enjoyed reading it – agreed with some of it, disagreed with some of it – just like my view on some of Rennie’s selections. The issue of victim hood is debateable, some coaches have been successful using the, them v us/ siege mentality approach. But that is neither nor there. Rennie started his tenure at a very tough time, I like his approach, like his assistant coaches, it will take time. Your best line was ‘if you have a concern about any member of the squad or a selection issue, relax’, very much agree with that. My view is that Rennie is the highly paid expert who has better reasons for his selections than I ever will. Two asides – I think NZ is going through a very interesting transition as an organisation but are still a very very good team Also youth looking up to sports stars Tom Carroll/ Mal Meninga – I read this & wondered who is writing this – the youngsters might know who they are but look up to, pretty off target there.
HitmanDan
Guest
At the end of the day, you can't polish a turd!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
To me, Rennie is doing and saying the things I want my Wallaby coach to do and say. I wasn't convinced initially but have altered my view. He has increased depth and instilled a"belief". Selections will always be discussed as we all have our "favourites". I don't think we could be asking any more from Rennie AND his Assistants.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
And look at the change we see in Michael Hooper. Do fans see any difference with Hooper under Cheika vs under Rennie? Coincidence? … I think not..
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Up until last year, when Rennie took his charges to Eden Park, I understand that he had never before taken a team to the Auckland stadium and departed with a loss. Not a bad brag huh?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
@ WEST, thanks for the essay. I’m absolutely on side with your thoughts as to what Dave Rennie will bring to Australian Rugby if given the time. I would be very surprised if the Wallabies do not show measurable improvement year on year under Rennie’s tenure. Rennie’s successes in NZ are well known but I suspect that he is lost to NZ Rugby because of the old boys network in the big house of the NZRU and his unwillingness to be manipulated. His first year with RA and the Wallabies, 2020 would have tested any, and I mean ANY coach. With the coronavirus throwing most sports in chaos, RA’s precarious financial position, the loss of, what.. 800+ caps following RWC in 2019, left a raw group of rugby players to carry the mantel for the Wallabies. It has been a tragedy that development of players for key positions was not undertaken by earlier coaches.. Fly half is a position that is obvious one and to read comments by Roarers that a player like Lolesio should not be selected for tests due to his inexperience is naive. To achieve a level of experience one needs to be given the opportunity to gain ‘that experience’ by playing in the very environment that he is expected to perform in. Prior coaches in Australia, I believe were all about performance for the present, ignoring the future. Look where Australian rugby is now. Rugby fans in Australia need to be a little patient. It will take time but I seriously believe that you guys have the right man to lead your Wallabies ‘out of the mire’. I’ll put a time frame on it. 2021 is too early even though ‘the young inexperienced’ national side took out the series against a good French team. 2022, the Wallabies under Rennie I’m very confident will be very competitive with all tier one rugby nations worldwide. The RWC and Bledisloe will be ambitious targets for 2023. Not saying the Wallabies will be No 1 by then. I think that is not realistic, but 3 or 4 is certainly on the cards and from there, in knock out competitions, anything can happen. If you Aussies don’t want Rennie, how about we swap him for the present AB coach Foster :silly:
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
One thing you can be sure of is that Rennie won't have any thoughts at all that a visiting team can't win at (the fortress) Eden Park. As Head Coach of Chiefs winner of Super Rugby twice and many other winning teams in NZ he will have had many wins as Head Coach of the visiting team at the Park. So that can be included in Dave's CV as well.
WEST
Roar Guru
Waxhead.. you know what they say. The difference between an a$$ kisser and a brown noser? Depth perception
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@WESTY my figuring says not in my life time :silly: I think D Rennie is a great coach who's realistic in already stating WBs have to climb a mountain. But I love NZ, and Kiwi's too, so what would I know. Sure you can't put a time limit on your brown nosing? :laughing:
WEST
Roar Guru
Number 2.. you’re a smart man, you figure it out