Dublin: Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan says Wallabies coach Dave Rennie still has the backing of the board but confirmed a thorough review will take place after the spring tour following an Italian defeat that “shocked” officials.
Ahead of Australia’s penultimate match of the year against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday (Sunday 7am AEDT), Rennie has acknowledged there is significant pressure to make amends for a first-ever loss to Italy.
It is a candid admission from the Wallabies boss, whose 37.5 per cent win rate since he took over in 2020 is the worst record of any Australian coach in the professional era.
Rennie’s contract expires after next year’s Rugby World Cup and while his preference is for an extension, there is no guarantee that will occur.
Speaking to the Herald in Dublin, McLennan declined to discuss Rennie’s future— for now — but went on the record for the first time since publicly backing the Kiwi-born coach in August to remain at the helm until the 2023 World Cup.
Since McLennan’s endorsement, the Wallabies have lost four of five Tests. Three of those defeats have been by two points or fewer.
Dave Rennie remains popular among Wallabies players.Credit:Getty
McLennan, who was not at RA in 2019 when Raelene Castle signed Rennie on a three-and-a-half year deal, was in Florence for Australia’s 28-27 defeat to Italy.
“We have backed Dave and continue to back him,” McLennan said. “Last week was a bad week. The Italians were as shocked as we were.
“We’ll do a full review at the end of the tour and l’ll await the all important Rugby Committee’s view.”
The Rugby Committee consists of RA chief executive Andy Marinos, plus former Wallabies players Phil Waugh and Daniel Herbert, who also serve as board members.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos, left, and chairman Hamish McLennan.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
The committee is in regular dialogue with Rennie about selections and the team’s direction.
McLennan said he preferred not to speculate on possible options and stressed no decision would be made until the Ireland and Wales games had been played.
Losses in those two fixtures would see the Wallabies, ranked eighth in the world, record their worst calendar year since 1958.
Rennie understands that coaching is a results-driven business and has taken responsibility of on-field outcomes.
While they are only fine margins — all three matches on this European tour have been decided by one point — Rennie doesn’t want to add extra pressure onto his staff and players.
“There’s certainly pressure on me. If I put that pressure back on our staff and players, it’s not going to help us on the weekend,” Rennie said. “The key thing is we’ve got to keep looking forward and we’ve got to get better. The decisions we’ve made is what I think is best for the long-term future of the team but you’ve got to wear the results. I’m a glass half-full kind of person. I trust the players will respond and will put in a good performance on Saturday.”
Asked if the next two games had an extra edge, given his desire for a contract extension, Rennie said: “I guess my focus at the moment is not on me, it’s on the group. The key thing for the group is to perform well over the next couple of weeks.”
Nic White, like he did before the spring tour, spoke this week about the players wanting to deliver a performance for Rennie. The sense among the playing group is they are not holding up their end of the bargain, as the team’s high number of penalties conceded per week would suggest.
Heavens above, what is wrong with the Wallabies this season?Credit:Getty
“I appreciate the support,” Rennie said. “I also understand the fact that as head coach you’ve got to take things on the chin.”
Second-rower Will Skelton was quizzed about Rennie’s demeanour in camp this week.
“Same old, mate. He’s a true professional,” Skelton said. “He has his detail right on point. I think it’s down to the players nailing our role and trusting the process. It’s trying to play without fear and that’s backing Dave and the coaching staff’s plan for us.”
Rennie gambled by making mass changes against Italy — effectively rolling out a B-team — and it did not pay off. Despite increasing the pressure on him, Rennie is unwavering in his view it was for the betterment of the team.
“I still don’t have any regrets around the men we chose, it was right for the group, it was right for the future,” Rennie said. “We need to provide opportunity for them and we need to share the load. It was a side that was good enough to win and we didn’t. So, I’ve got to take responsibility for that.
“But I know we have a very determined squad who want to make a statement this weekend. After last week, [a win] would be massive.”
Rennie also touched on owing fans a better performance against Ireland, ranked No.1 in the world.
“We’ve talked about being a lot better than last week and we need to show that and owe that to our supporters back home,” Rennie said.
If no improvement is forthcoming against Ireland, it could be a long week for the Wallabies in Cardiff.
A win against Ireland? That would certainly change the narrative.
Watch all the action from the Wallabies Spring Tour with every match streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport. Continues this weekend with Italy v South Africa (Saturday 11.50pm AEDT), Wales v Georgia (Saturday 11.50pm AEDT), Scotland v Argentina (Sunday 2.05am AEDT), England v All Blacks (Sunday 4am AEDT), Ireland v Wallabies (Sunday 6.40am AEDT) and France v Japan (Sunday 11.50pm AEDT).
