Wallabies coach Dave Rennie wants Australia’s Super Rugby clubs to continue competing against Kiwi sides for the sake of the national team’s standards, and admits he wasn’t consulted before Rugby Australia’s brazen threat to walk out on the New Zealand franchises.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said last week that Australia might look to go it alone from 2024. It is considered a hollow threat by many, aimed at trying to increase Australia’s share of TV revenues for their involvement.
“I think I’ve made it it pretty clear in the past,” Rennie said Monday. “I think it’s good for both countries that we play trans-Tasman footy. I think the competition has been excellent this year. And our sides have certainly been more competitive. It’s good for them. It’s good for us. I’d like to see that continue.”
Asked if McLennan’s comments had come out of the blue for him as well as rugby fans, he said: “Yes. I understand Hamish is an innovative thinker. And I guess, from a commercial point of view, wants a bigger slice of the pie. So I understand this thinking.”
He wouldn’t buy into discussing a scenario where there was no trans-Tasman competition.
“I’m not going to crystal ball gaze this situation,” said Rennie. “What I think, and what a lot of New Zealand clubs will think too, is that playing trans-Tasman games is good for us. We’ve just got to make sure that financially it’s beneficial as well.
“So yes, I’m supportive of the competition continuing, but it’s not my call.
“They’ve got some of the best players in the world, as we’ve seen. You want to be playing the best players, it’s how we’ll get better and be challenged, so I agree it’s important.”
Rennie, meanwhile said the Wallabies camp on the Sunshine Coast was progressing well, less than two weeks out from the first Test against England, with a few bumps and bruises but minimal detail over the main injury concern Taniela Tupou.
“It’s been awesome. Great facilities. Now it’s a one stop shop, which is, which is what we need,” said Rennie.
Dave Rennie (Photo by Getty Images)
“We’ve got a gym, which is massive, on the edge of the field. The field is three or four minute walk from the accommodation, and we’ve been really well looked after. We’ve had the boys up at six in the morning. We’re getting multiple sessions in a day and that’s the advantage of not having to travel.
“We’ve sowed some good seeds. We’ve done a fair bit of work around culture and just nice to have the boys back together.”
He predicted the spate of red and yellow cards to continue during the series and said the group was working on improving their discipline.
“We’re certainly putting a lot of time into it,” Rennie said.
“The quality of decision making, the quality of technique and the way it’s being refereed at the moment there are going to be cards every game. We have to make sure we minimize those situations.”
Rennie said the team was better conditioned than a year ago, and had greater depth, and would benefit from having a strong core of Brumbies players who have been working with Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar.
“We’ve got good continuity, obviously with Dan. And Dan was with us last year. So there’s some things that we do that a little bit different to the Brumbies.
“The biggest challenge really is the language. There are things that we do that our club teams use a different word for. And so we’ve put a lot of time into that.
“But from a synergy point of view, we’ve got a clear plan around what we think is going to be important against England, and all the clubs will fit into that.
“We’ve certainly got more depth and we’ve already had discussions around what the 23 might look like. Certainly a bit of depth in some key spots. So how guys train and perform over the next X amount of days it will be important.
“We’re certainly better conditioned as evidenced how we trained this morning. It was tough. I definitely think there’s been a shift in skill set as we’ve witnessed at Super level, and we want to grow our game awareness. They are all key elements. I think we’ll have a very good set piece and that’s paramount at Test level.”
Last week James O’Connor said he would happily step up as a No.15 should Rennie want him. Rennie all but ruled that out on Monday and said no discussions had taken place with JOC about that position.
“We’ve got a few fullback options within the squad,” he said. “Tom Banks plays it regularly. Jordan Petaia’s played a little bit, Andrew Kellaway’s played Test footy at 15 as well. I’m not saying it’s not possible, but he hasn’t played any 15 this year.”
He was likewise dismissive of England’s hefty loss to the Barbarians on Sunday, saying he didn’t watch it and expected the team for the first Test to bear little resemblance to that match.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Actually, fair enough. I didn’t realise his contract was so short. I’d have thought it prudent to get him on side, or at least singing from the same song sheet. But if they don’t really see his comments either way as being relevant or news worthy, it makes sense. I still think they should have brought him up to speed beforehand to stop headlines like the Roar put up.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Apparently RA told all the relevant people BEFORE McLennan's media statements Paulo: 1. 5 AUS SR franchises 2. NZR big wigs over a face to face lunch meeting So not really relevant to speak with Rennie. Besides, Rennie is ONLY contracted till the end of 2023 apparently (next WC), not till 2030, 2033 etc, etc, so his opinion is only noteworthy on which 23 players he deems are worthy of selection for the wallabies for any international match. No other opinions of Rennie are really relevant.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Too late to edit, but a correction. NZR hold the license to 2023 apparently, and RA are talking about leaving in 2024, so I was wrong about that and Kearns does have it right in theory, that the Drua and MP could join them. If they would want to is a different issue.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’m not suggesting they ‘consult’, as in make him part of the decision making process. Although they could ask his point of view. What I would expect, given the press ar clearly going to be asking him questions, would be a quick heads up. “Hey Dave, this is where we’re at on this, this is our stand. Can you support this if the press ask. If you other ideas about it, let me know and we can discuss in private. Cheers mate.” Then RA present a unified public face, everyone is on board and this is clearly a good idea. This is public relations 101, it isn’t hard.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
The frustration was a supposition based on the experience he has had and how I would feel in his position. They aren’t giving him a heads up on these things that directly impact him and his ability to do the role. I would only do that to someone I did not trust or respect enough to include beforehand. But that’s just me. McLennon is obviously different.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
QLD is a bit too far for me these days. I’m back in NZ now so… maybe the RWC though? Let’s see where they host the final. Although I assume it will Sydney - bleh :sick: I think what happens after SR is still up in the air. I mean RA and NZR will want regular competitions to sell to broadcasters, and fitting in ‘exhibition’ or one off games maybe quite difficult in what is now a very jam packed calendar. I don’t think RA will walk away just yet. They were the ones who wanted a 5yr agreement for SRP. NZR we’re the ones who only agreed to two yrs. Not sure what NZRs plans are though, other than losing another World Cup for the sake of continuity.
James584
Roar Rookie
Oh boy, what a bunch of drama queens. There is no evidence whatsoever that Dave is ‘frustrated’, or that there is any lack of respect or trust from ‘higher ups’. It’s all in your head, boys and girls. Is this the same thinking that decides NZ is ‘hated’ because RA are looking at options? (to quote old mate, Jacko). Insecurity, much!
James584
Roar Rookie
True, the current format and focus of domestic rugby is not improving our National team.
James584
Roar Rookie
What’s wrong with meeting at the rugby? Invitation is open to you too, Paulo. I don’t think anyone is contemplating not playing NZ sides. Long before SR existed, Queensland and NSW played NZ teams regularly. And this will continue after SR in some format.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Mate, we’re taking the pi ss out of some ridiculous accusations of bias and conspiracy. At least we’re not calling people out to meet us at the Wally Lewis statue ‘for a chat’ :laughing: Seriously though, what your suggesting, not being intrinsically linked to NZ is probably a good thing for Aus rugby. But what they are saying, or alluding to, is turning their back entirely. Which is not a good thing. It’s also really poorly thought out by the proponents. Kearns has suggested Aus could form a comp with teams including MP and Drua, even though my understanding is that NZR holds their license, not RA. Correct me if I’m wrong though.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure how what happened first in rugby is relevant? I’m not saying a maul is illegal? Did you miss my point? Read my chat with Nick Bishop on his article if you really care. You can argue that those illegalities the Brumbies did don’t tend to get called. You can’t argue they aren’t illegal.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I’d suggest you consider McLennan’s record prior to assuming he is one of them
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously McLennan, should start by doing his job, by promoting the game, & seeking better sponsors, as he's not going to get that by being involved with the gutter trash Murdoch NewsCorp media.
James584
Roar Rookie
Many of the most successful are. But that, obviously, isn’t what I am saying.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Because every great business is run by an autocrat.??
James584
Roar Rookie
Dave Rennie is constrained in what he can say about this, because he has loyalty to NZ. Surely that isn’t a controversial statement? We must filter these comments carefully. Yes, he can genuinely believe that playing NZ sides is ‘good for Australian teams’. That doesn’t mean Australian rugby’s main priority and most prominent focus should be a Super Rugby competition against predominantly NZ teams. Again, I must say, the level of emotional maturity in these communities is alarmingly low.
James584
Roar Rookie
Nothing illegal about it whatsoever. The maul is the essence of rugby. When William Webb Ellis picked up the ball, the first thing that happened was a maul.
James584
Roar Rookie
Any improvement has been very much exaggerated. I think it is pretty clear the Kiwi sides have come back to our level a bit. Still better than us, obviously, but not as good overall as they were.
James584
Roar Rookie
It is way outside the coaches role. And Dave is a Kiwi, so is obviously constrained in what he can say about this issue.
Micko
Roar Rookie
He is NOT responsible for the quality of the "national product", he is responsible for the selection and performance of the national TEAM. The national team (Kangaroos) coach wasn't consulted with resolving the super league civil war crisis that rocked rugby league in the late 90's. And that was because it literally wasn't his job to resolve!!