Rugby Australia has sacked Wallabies coach Dave Rennie with immediate effect and replaced him with Eddie Jones for this year’s World Cup.
Jones, who was Wallabies coach from 2001 to 2005, has signed a five-year deal that will take him through to the 2027 World Cup.
Dave Rennie has been replaced as Wallabies coach by Eddie Jones (inset).Credit:Getty
Jones will also oversee the Wallaroos program in a move that will stun Australian rugby. He was sacked as England coach late last year, and will start with RA on January 28, just over eight months before the World Cup in France.
Rennie was told by RA that after three years in the job, his services were no longer required. Last year yielded just five wins from 14 Tests.
A 38 per cent win record was not enough to save his job, despite being so close to the World Cup.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan.Credit:Peter Rae
In a statement to the Herald, RA chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed the news.
“It is a major coup for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos program,” McLennan said.
“Eddie’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level.
“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”
In a statement obtained by the Herald, Jones said he was looking forward to getting “stuck in”.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to come home to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup,” Jones said. “It is going to be an immense period for Australian rugby. As a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years.
“The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth. If we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.
“I saw how gutsy the Wallaroos were in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year – it looks like there is a real spirit in that group that will drive the women’s program forward ahead of their next World Cup in 2025.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back home and getting stuck in.”
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