LONDON – Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is heading for a showdown with Rugby Australia’s high-performance committee, and the possibility of an independent selector has been raised, after the embarrassing 28-27 defeat to Italy in Florence.
The Wallabies first-ever defeat to the Six Nations side, who they first met in 1983 – has caused anxiety in RA’s offices.
Rennie, who was an appointment under the previous Raelene Castle administration, now has a 37.5 per cent win rate. In 2022 that number falls to 33.33 per cent, having won just four of 12 Tests. If he loses the next two it will be 28.6 for the year.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
They are alarmingly low numbers and the excuses have run out.
Rennie faces some unwanted history ahead of the final two Tests of the season, with Michael Cheika’s season in 2018, which saw a drastic structural change including the brutal sacking of Stephen Larkham, where he won just four of 13 Tests, the worst season since 1958.
Rennie’s men arrived in Dublin on Monday AEDT and face the daunting prospect of facing world No.1 Ireland on Sunday AEDT.
The Wallabies arrived with the spotlight firmly on their coach, with several crunch questions hanging over his head.
Yet with two Tests remaining on the five-Test tour, RA is reticent on making any decision that will hamper their performances in the final matches of the year.
What is certain is Rennie’s order – should he last beyond 2022 – is about to be rocked.
From selection to strength and conditioning, eyebrows have been raised about a number of the decisions and outcomes coming under Rennie’s watch.
Now, having lost to Italy for the first time in 19 meetings, those concerns are coming to a head.
Rennie’s coaching is coming under criticism.
The Wallabies boss regularly bemoans the lack of discipline within the side. On Sunday the team conceded 16 penalties, almost double what the hosts gave up.
As one source said: “That’s a coaching issue.”
Even questions of the side’s culture, an aspect that underpins his coaching style, are being scrutinised.
A chairman’s review is being pencilled into the diary following the tour, which wraps up against their World Cup pool rivals Wales in Cardiff on November 26.
While RA Hamish McLennan as recently as September backed Rennie through to the World Cup, a source says “everything will be on the table”.
It is also understood the New Zealand coach has been lukewarm to the idea of an external selector being involved, but after Rennie made 12 changes to his starting side calls for an independent voice are growing.
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly is one figure being spoken about as a potential option.
Previously RA had Scott Johnson serving as an independent selector, but after RA decided not to renew his contract as director of rugby last year the Wallabies coaching structure, headed by Rennie, choose the team.
It is believed the high-performance committee, which includes former Wallabies greats Dan Herbert and Phil Waugh, have been concerned about Rennie’s selections for months.
As one person close to the situation said, “An interesting battle looms between famous ex-Wallabies and a Kiwi coach. They are headed for a showdown.”
While some of Rennie’s squad were carrying niggles (a reality of being a professional rugby player), the New Zealand coach opted to rest some of his best and most experienced players, including captain James Slipper, former skipper Michael Hooper, playmakers Nic White and Bernard Foley as well as outside back Andrew Kellaway against Italy.
None of the five players were included on the bench.
Instead, the star quintet sat in the stands wearing RM Williams boots and watched the mess unfold before their very eyes.
While Ben Donaldson could have had a dream debut had he kicked a pressure-cooker conversion, many have questioned why the Waratahs utility back was brought on in the final minutes with the game in the balance.
Noah Lolesio, who almost certainly won’t play in Dublin to continue the roller-coaster start to his career, has previously been kicking the ball well but was replaced in the final minutes.
It came a week after Rennie came under criticism for replacing Foley in the final minutes of the match and his replacement, Reece Hodge, struggled.
Rennie’s use of substitutions have come under fire ever since he took over in 2020, with Suliasi Vunivalu’s introduction to Test rugby against England in Sydney still in the memory bank of many.
Rennie’s decision to pre-plan his squads have also raised eyebrows, with the coach open about his intent on mixing and match his halfbacks given the five straight Tests.
“I mean it’s not much more changes than we made the week before,” Rennie said following the defeat.
“There were a couple of extra bodies that we would have played today had they not been injured from the French game.
“We picked squads a long way out … we looked ahead at how we’re going to give ourselves the best chance to win all five games on tour. We had a good enough side out on the paddock to win.”
While Rennie has continually spoken about the need to rotate throughout the tour, citing an unprecedented five-match tour, World Cup campaigns require a nation to play seven Tests to win the tournament.
For that reason, Rennie’s comments have stacked up.
Only a win, or at very least a strong showing, against Ireland can swing the ledger.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
It's there if you look for it. Over & Out.
UNO
Roar Rookie
I always thought the NH autumn tours were to give the full squad of players and a few rookies the chance to be exposed to test rugby and match their skills against , in many cases, unknown opponents. After watching most of the Italy game it was apparent that the team's collective brain switched off when they ran on to the park. I am sure Dave Rennie and his fellow coaches did not tell their squad to go out and kick aimlessly, give a way stupid penalties, miss tackles and generally play dumb rugby. There is clearly something wrong in the way the progression of talented young players move from grass roots rugby thru to the professional ranks is managed. Why are RA relying on the likes of Quade Cooper , Bernard Foley Curtley Beale and others to put a competitive team on the park at the expense of blooding new players. RWC 2023 forget it and start to rebuild a side for 2027.
Revok
Roar Rookie
I cannot see your point, as you have not made one yet dear.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Misses the point...
Revok
Roar Rookie
KP, who would have been available for the Italy match that was playing os ?
Warwick Taylor
Guest
They don’t need a new selector they need a whole new structure. Rennie and McKellar must go. Rennie record is McKellars record for this year and last. RA and MacDonald should go to Scott Robertson whose stated ambition is to coach two countries to a RWC and give him a 10 mont contract. Let him pick any staff member he wants and any eligible player from anywhere he wants. The cost is negligible compared to the cost of keeping the current management group and the long term impact on talent, finances and supporters. The fact that after three years our No 10 options were QC and now Foley says everything that has been wrong with this set up from the get go
Trevor Robertson
Guest
For me he was. The game at that time suited his style, which helped, but from the time he established himself as a starter I don’t believe anyone else was ever preferred in front of him for any length of time.
Simoc
Guest
Who'de listen to Phil Waugh. The lightweight player, always thrown out of the way when the going got tough, and his comments are lightweight junk. You have to play all the touring players and Italy was the place to do it. Its obvious to most. Obviously washed up old players in the media need to create a headline if they want to get a gig but treat them as the has-beens that they are. They are irrelevant to the future. Australia is playing ok with the players they have. The Australian team has earnt the dislike of referees across the world for a couple of decades now and it costs them matches on a regular basis. That won't change in the near future.
AAA's Bloody Ear
Guest
He played in Brisbane off the bench in the 2nd match, and it wasn't good. When the Wallabies had good momentum and were chasing the game and made some big mistakes. True a bit harsh to pin it on him, I don't like to do that, fair cop. Watching the Italy game I think JOC deserves another chance considering what he's shown at super rugby level, but I'm not sure if a pattern of injuries are starting to get in the way. When he's at his best he's a smart footballer and they need some of that.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
And as I said, everything is 'possible', but in this case more than a little unlikely. Still as you say it is possible.
Olly
Roar Rookie
I am not sure why you think only one person in a position can be a Wallabies great. Literally makes no sense. Little was moved to the wing for Herbert and Herbert was the key player back in the Rod McQueen RWC winning game of keeping within the 15m lines.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
So in his prime Herbert was better than little and mortlock in their prime let alone any number of other 13s .
jameswm
Roar Guru
Do people not understand the word possible? Where did I say I am betting my house on the Wallabies?
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Ewen would be a very cool story if he came back and had success but I suspect RA have stuffed that one completely
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Me too, I just want him to build his experience more first at the tahs to prove his worth. He’d be in the pipeline
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I’d like Jake White most, he’s a builder and won’t stand for BS. He should be given licence to do his thing and full support. Alas I suspect RA will find a way to make a mess of it.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
And we should’ve hired Jake White
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Umm don't think JOC can be blamed for Australia losing the English series when he didn't play a minute! (out injured).
sheek
Roar Guru
Jameswm, Whether a glass is half full or half empty, it will always requiring filling. As long as you have a bottle with wine in it handy, then life's good! Am empty glass & an empty bottle(s) is sad news, unless of course, you've had enough for the moment/session.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Hey kick, I've got to ask you, how many Rugby pundits go on to your league page and make stupid comments like you do on here? Not many, if any, I'd suggest.