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Update: Six weeks after Dave Rennie held a 44-man Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast to start the year not a single coach remains.
After the cutthroat axing of Rennie, Laurie Fisher was deemed surplus goods while fellow assistants Dan McKellar and Petrus du Plessis have resigned.
Were it anyone else but Eddie Jones tasked with rebuilding the Wallabies at this late point in the World Cup cycle it would be deemed a crisis.
But Jones, having coached at four World Cups and been to three finals, is being backed to bring it all together.
Indeed, if Jones was sweating he was not showing it on Wednesday.
World rugby’s most experienced coach was a noticeable face at Waratahs training where he sat beside injured Wallaby Ned Hanigan and was regularly seen enjoying the company of one of Australian rugby’s biggest characters.
Wallabies scrum coach Petrus du Plessis and forwards coach Dan McKellar have resigned from their posts ahead of the World Cup. Photo: Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
News of McKellar’s resignation broke on Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after he informed Rugby Australia of his decision to accept the head coaching role of Leicester Tigers, but it would not have shocked Jones.
As The Roar revealed earlier this month, McKellar was headhunted and then shortlisted by Leicester to replace Steve Borthwick, who replaced Jones as England coach.
While Jones wanted McKellar as his forwards coach, the former Brumbies coach has put his coaching development first by accepting one of club rugby’s most prestigious jobs.
“This was an extremely difficult decision to make but it’s one that’s made with my best professional and family interests in mind,” McKellar said in a statement on Wednesday night.
“I firmly believe my next challenge will make me a better coach and hopefully allow me to return home and contribute in a positive fashion to Australian rugby in the future.
“I’d like to thank Andy, Eddie and Dave Rennie for their support and giving me the opportunity to be part of the Wallabies coaching staff over the past two years.
“I’d also like to thank the players and I wish them and Eddie all the best in what’s a massive year ahead.”
Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar is set to join Leicester Tigers as their new head coach. Photo: Jono Searle/Getty Images
News of du Plessis’ resignation comes as no surprise either, with the South African-born scrum coach never likely to survive once Rennie was shown the door.
Indeed, even before Rennie was cut adrift Rugby Australia were seriously considering axing him regardless.
His departure comes just weeks after he was made an Australian citizen.
“I’d like to thank Rugby Australia for the opportunity to work with the Wallabies and the broader Australian system over the past two and a half years,” du Plessis, the former Saracens, London Irish and Glasgow prop, said in a statement.
“After meeting with Eddie, I made the difficult decision to resign from the role and explore my business interests outside of rugby.
“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and I’d like to wish Eddie and the team all the best for the 2023 season.”
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said he was hopeful McKellar returned Down Under in the future.
“We are disappointed that Dan will not continue with the Wallabies this year,” Marinos said.
“However, I want to thank him for his service to Australian rugby, especially with the Wallabies and at Super Rugby level and am sure he will return in the future having gained some more valuable experience as a coach.
“He has made a great impact since joining the Brumbies in 2014 and transitioned into his national assistant role well over the past two seasons, we wish him and his family all the best for the future.
“We also want to thank Petrus for his contribution to the Wallabies and wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.
“Together with Eddie we will continue to work hard to assemble a quality coaching staff to deliver a high performing environment in our preparation for The Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup later this year.”
The 2022 Wallabies coaching team of Dave Rennie and assistant coaches Laurie Fisher and Dan McKellar have broken up. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
It’s believed Jones has put a deadline on assembling his coaching team by May 1.
Earlier in the week, it emerged Scott Wisemantel, who abruptly resigned at the start of the year, would return as a consultant.
Whether he takes on the attack duties remains to be seen.
Wisemantel was employed on a part-time basis by the Rugby Football Union before departing the England set-up following the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
He would fly in ahead of tournaments and return at the conclusion of Tests.
Former rugby league playmaker turned Wallaby, Berrick Barnes, who made his Test debut in the 2007 World Cup, will also join in a skills capacity.
Neil Craig, one of Jones’ most trusted team members during his tenure with England, will also join Rugby Australia.
Brumbies forwards coach Dan Palmer, who is regarded as one of the best scrum coaches in the world, is the front-runner to join Jones’ set-up as a scrum coach.
Palmer, the former Wallabies front-rower, spent a month with Jones in December at Suntory.
But given he has just had his portfolio expanded at the Brumbies to include lineout and general phase play, it’s unlikely he will be considered a forwards assistant.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.