Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos says the failure of the Wallabies to close out big games was a factor in the decision to sack Dave Rennie and hire Eddie Jones, and denied a national camp run by Rennie in the week preceding his axing was a waste of money.
Marinos delivered the bad news to Rennie on a Zoom call from South Africa, where the chief executive was staying over the Christmas break for a family wedding.
Speaking for the first time on why he supported the change, Marinos said the combination of Jones’ sudden availability and the lack of Wallabies victories had convinced the Rugby Australia board to act.
“It’s a results-driven game and we were very keen to make sure we gave ourselves the very best opportunity to win and be successful at the World Cup,” Marinos said.
“It was a sliding doors moment where an opportunity presented itself, and we had always been thinking long-term about what was going to happen with the Wallabies post the World Cup. Eddie is a proven winner and he has done incredibly well historically at World Cups, and leading into that. So the board felt it was the right direction and right decision.”
Before Jones was sacked by England, Marinos set the pass mark for the Wallabies’ spring tour at three wins from five Tests. With a roster massively hit by injury, the Wallabies returned home with two wins, over Scotland and Wales, narrow losses against France and Ireland and a shock, first-ever Test loss against Italy.
Out with the old … Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones.Credit:Getty
Asked if there was anything Rennie could have done on the tour to safeguard his job, even with Jones on the market, Marinos’ bar climbed higher.
“Coming back from a tour like that and you’ve got a Grand Slam, that could possibly change things,” Marinos said.
“As I said it’s a results-driven business. Going into the tour Dave was pretty clear and the coaching team and the players were pretty clear on what the expectations for the tour were. The loss against France was narrow and the loss against Ireland was narrow, but it is those close games that you need to close out, and build momentum.
“A lot has been said about the Italy game and it was disappointing. But when you look back, you want results, and results drive the game. And we didn’t get that.”
Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper at the Wallabies’ camp in January.Credit:Getty
Marinos said Rennie had done a “really good job” and had developed and brought through a lot of talented young players.
“There is no doubt when the team is at full flight, they can play pretty compelling and attractive rugby,” he said.
Just a few days before he was axed, Rennie ran the Wallabies first’ camp of the year on the Gold Coast. Marinos and chairman Hamish McLennan were among a small handful who were finalising a deal with Jones at the same time.
Rennie spoke to media from the camp, saying he hadn’t spoken to McLennan recently and there was “no chance” he and Jones would work together.
Rob Valetini and Pete Samu at the Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast.Credit:Getty
Marinos denied the four-day camp – which saw 40 players and all the Wallabies support staff attend – was a waste of money, given Rennie departed soon after.
“It wasn’t a waste of money because it was the first camp the guys had come back from their extended leave,” he said.
“A lot of that was assessing and checking where they are from a fitness point of view. It also gave us an opportunity to sit down with each player and work on their IDPs (individual development plan) and work-on areas for the season coming up.
“The third part of it as well was around the planning and preparation for the World Cup. We were able to get a lot of those plans locked away and put in place, so it gave us the opportunity to get through a fair bit if administrative stuff, as well as injury and fitness assessments after their break and before the Super Rugby.”
As he did during his last stint as national coach, Jones has already flagged he would like to have the Wallabies in a central camp. But after Rennie drew criticism for basing the side on the Gold Coast and only travelling to the Test city two days beforehand, Rugby Australia said they would do away with Camp Wallaby in 2023.
Marinos said both could be achieved in the new Jones regime.
“It was never an issue where they had their training bases,” Marinos said.
“It was more making sure in Test weeks they would be in the city where they’ll be playing because that’s an important part of the promotion and activation around the game. There was a reason why, they had to get through a lot of work and it was more purpose-built. But we will certainly looking to see that change moving forward.”
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