Well, here we are. The Wallabies made no quarter final showing in the World Cup, are 10th in the world, and could only muster two wins all year.
Most Australian rugby fans are looking at Rugby Australia with hard askance, wondering, to quote the Rolling Stones in “Angie”, “where will it lead us from here?”
First, let’s look at Eddie Jones. After this disaster, he should offer his resignation. Not only do the results he has failed to deliver make his position untenable, the whole Japan thing, true or not, will forever be lurking in the background. He is currently the butt of jokes around the world, and would appear to have all the credibility of a used car salesman.
Don’t get me wrong. Initially, I was on the Eddie train because I could see his much-needed long-term vision. But he has failed by just about any and every measure. I must admit, I cannot conceive who I’d replace him with, but, for Eddie, the phrase is “it’s time to go”.
Perhaps a panel comprised of Rod Macqueen, John Connolly, and, if he was willing, Steve Hansen, could find the best candidate, although RA would obviously have to negotiate the contract. Once employed, the panel could work with the coach to identify the best options for assistants.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Which brings us to unity across the code. There have been many calls for an end to the politics between states, pulling together, and moving to a centralised model. This is unquestionably necessary, but there is an inherent problem, and that problem has a name: Hamish McLennan.
He’s divisive and a lot of people don’t trust him. That is hardly helpful when trying to bring everyone together. Further, on the assumption that Australia is seeking a new coach, how secure would a candidate feel given the treatment of Dave Rennie? For those two reasons alone, let alone his role in this current fiasco, he’s got to go. That then brings us to replacements for him.
In an ideal world, given the circumstances, the best option would be John Eales. No-one could deny his commitment to rugby. He’s a great leader, and showed many times that he knows how to rally the troops. And who’s going to gainsay him? The respect that the man carries could dramatically change the tone and direction of the negotiations of any centralisation of programs and admin.
Now, while I view John Eales as the ideal candidate, he’s probably got other commitments, so that option may not exist. There are others, but I think that someone in that mould is needed.
Apparently, there will be an independent review about the disaster at the World Cup. I have little faith in it; reviews and surveys are rarely commissioned without the outcome being already known, and I doubt it will recommend offloading the coaching team and McLennan. If so, sadly, it’ll be no surprise, and only prove the old adage ‘a fish rots from the head’.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Thanks turkey. You will very busy on this platform :laughing:
coldturkey
Roar Rookie
ROLES not rolls (totally different meanings).
inyo52959178
Roar Rookie
Up until his recent gig as the Wallaby Coach I always liked Eddie Not now..he is a Snake Oil Salesman. No question...
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Reviews are just a cop out for a CEO saying he has no idea what he is doing so I will let someone write a review.
HKRed
Roar Rookie
Papworth? Who's sole focus is the Shute Shield? Campaigning to shut down a 3rd-tier comp, to protect NSW club rugby? That guy?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I think Jeff that it remains a high profile appointment . Whoever takes it on though at least has the advantage of starting from about as low a base as The Wallabies have been in living memory . Cant really go down much further . Someone like Jacques Nienaber Bok head coach who has already resigned to take up a position as assistant coach at Leinster..He wishes to break free of the perception that he is under Rassies control .Hence the move .Knows Australias strengths and weaknesses as well as anyone alive . He may be a good call.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
In my opinion there are many good candidates to be the Wallaby Coach. But how many of them would take the job on !!!!!!!!!
andrew
Roar Rookie
Brett Papworth would make an ideal boss instead of those current clowns in RA. McLennan, along with his mate Eddie, are nothing but an embarrassment for Australian Rugby. The sooner both of them are gone this sad sorry saga will be over.
Hughi
Roar Rookie
I like dinosaurs pity they didn’t hang around. My theory on rugby I got from that big bang theory comedy show. “let me explain this to you using physics. What would you be if you were joined to another object,by an incline plane,wrapped helically around an axis?
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Like the father who drives his sons to school , club, man’s the BBQ, sometimes coach sometimes linesman. Not to mention his daughters going to netball, running, swimming,etc,etc.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
I don’t understand sport or rugby, why is it. I don’t understand why I like going out and getting bashed and bashing other people, just to put points on a score board. You would have to agree. It’s complex, but some of us enjoy it. It’s primitive and primeval, it’s the ape coming out. Centralisation is good , but as a Red I want to hate NSW, etc ,etc. otherwise would there be competition. We were pathetic in Rugby for a while, then we were good, now we are pathetic again. If interested I’ll tell you my theory why. It’s a bit like Monty Pythons theory on dinosaurs.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Comforting. Except that what Bob Dylan thought was happening wasn’t happening. Perhaps it’s fitting to quote the ‘rugby bard’ after all.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Plenty of good candidates who would jump at the job ..Also you dont need to employ a coach to “rescue” Australian rugby ..Just someone who can guide The Wallabies back to some respectability…..
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@inyo Agreed. Waugh is McLennan's man. Both from same corporate background - Commonwealth Bank and News Corp/Channel 10. Does anybody trust anyone who worked at high level executive levels for these corporations? And their previous experience in sports administration is zero......
Jazz
Roar Rookie
I'm on the fence with Eddie and i dont know what to think TBH, part of me respects the guys work ethics, rugby knowledge, experience with some vision for Australian rugby but the other part of me wants revenge for his poor selections, not fixing the wallabies bad habits that costs us penalties/tries, and his big mouth in front of the media...whether he's there or not after this WC time will tell, but if he remains the problem is restraining his decisions or scrutinizing selections and if he's sacked, who would be the best replacement option?? 100% HM needs to p_ss off, he doesn't have an ounce of rugby love in his body, only love he has is money and himself! The rugby board needs cleaning out with people who are passionate about rugby, apart from the existing ex-players there, we dont need a bunch of tools in suits who are so detached from the players themselves.
piru
Roar Rookie
Surely the High Performance Manager role needs to be filled as well Perhaps they could explain why they weren't interested in Steve Anderson's application, seemed to go ok in Ireland
inyo52959178
Roar Rookie
Agree..you cannot broker peace between different factions if the Chief Negotiator is untrustworthy..maybe I am a pessimistic but I can't see much changing..it's the people that Hamish represents that have to go...a cutlural/people shifted is what is required. Waugh is just more of the same .The fish dies rot from the head..decapitation is long overdue.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@Robster A well meaning good article Rob but ..... you've missed some hard realities and Qs imo... - RA can't afford to sack Eddie. They're already bankrupt and the proposed private equity deal fell over a month ago. - Who's going to sack McLennan? - Is there any guarantee his replacement would be any better? - What exactly does "centralisation" mean to McLennan and the RA board? - What if it only means to McLennan to concentrate all power and authority in HIM - dictator style? - Does anybody, anywhere trust McLennan? - RA have had many "independent reviews" in the past and all of them produced zero of value. - Why do you place no blame on the RA board. These people are actively voting for the stuff McLennan announces. - WBs have had 2 excellent NZ coaches now and both have been treated like poo by RA - so was McKenzie. - What other top quality coach would be mad enough to accept what is clearly the poisoned chalice of WB coach. - If John Eales is sane he'd not want the job of Chairman of RA. The only hope I see is a total revolution, total re-structure. That means a new, amended RA constitution, a whole new RA Board and new Chairman with people that honestly have the best interests of Australian Rugby as their no 1 priority. And where do you find such people in Australia in 2023? Then adopt the NZ, or Irish, models of centralisation (not McLennans). That's what R Deans proposed 14 years ago and was ignored. And the chances of this ever happening in my life time are extremely small :laughing:
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
It's not as silly as it sound JD. We need a system builder not a coach (well we need a coach as well but different rolls). For him or someone like him, they must be willing to study Ireland and NZ grassroots and centralization platforms. I think he would excellent in the grassroots/development arena.
woodart
Roar Rookie
that great rugby bard, bob dylan wrote " ballard of a thin man" with the line, "theres something happening, but you dont know what it is, Do you mr jones?". maybe the new aussie fan favourite.