Focus now shifts to Dave Rennie and whether he will still coach the Wallabies
The future of incoming Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has become a worry for many Australian rugby fans in the wake of chief executive Raelene Castle’s resignation on Thursday. Her exit came shortly after eleven ex-Wallaby captains (although one – Michael Lynagh – rescinded his support) wrote a letter of no confidence to Rugby Australia, which proved to be the death knell for Castle’s tenure.
One of the major successes of the former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs CEO’s time in charge was the appointment of Scott Johnson as director of rugby in 2019, as well as recruiting Rennie as head coach, who is set to take over at the end of his spell with Glasgow Warriors.
Rennie, who is succeeding the outspoken Michael Cheika, was a candidate in his native New Zealand to take over from Steve Hansen with the All Blacks, which is a sign of his pedigree and how this was an astute move by Castle. However, his ascension to the Wallabies role has now been cast into doubt.
With so many mixed signals, it is hard to know where Australian rugby stands following a difficult period adjusting to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport.
It had been widely reported over the past weeks that Rennie’s appointment was dependent on Castle remaining in her post. The outgoing CEO recently said that Rennie will become the coach regardless of her status but given the obscure nature of her departure, there is much doubt surrounding Rennie’s arrival.
If we lose Dave Rennie as Wallabies coach now too I’m going to cry. Imagine being obsessed with a sport that robs you of your hope every time you get a tiny ounch of it. pic.twitter.com/bpKCw4CWGc
— Ethan (@theseedypencil) April 23, 2020
If you were Dave Rennie would you want 10 ex Captains and a gutless board as your management team! Run l say…
— skipping dog (@Skippingdog) April 23, 2020
Can't see Dave Rennie hanging around now .. #AusRugby
— Tim Evans (@TimEvansSKY) April 23, 2020
Slow clap, Former #Wallabies Captains who signed the no confidence letter against @raelenecastle earlier this week….
You may have just also lost us a Coach with appropriate expertise to have broken our Bledisloe and World Cup droughts as well. 🤦🏼♀️ https://t.co/D7OSnOg3OM
— Kate Doak (@katedoak) April 23, 2020
This is perhaps the most damaging thing about the entire debacle for many Australians, that the national team may potentially lose out on a coach that was chosen to revive the stuttering Wallabies.
Castle presided over a tough and divisive few years in Australian rugby, a spell defined by the Israel Folau saga as well as her decision to keep Cheika in his head coach role despite the team faltering over a long period of time.
That is not to say there were many that supported her decisions in these cases, but they were such polarising situations that there were also swathes of people who were not happy.
https://twitter.com/MRrugbyworldcup/status/1253276773476790272?s=20
Dave Rennie the guy to watch now after Castle's resignation
— Adam Wakefield (@adamwake86) April 23, 2020
Her popularity has slumped in recent months given the Wallabies’ dismal performance at the World Cup alongside a decline in interest in Super Rugby, culminating in the loss of a longstanding broadcasting partner.
Now, in the aftermath of her departure, people are not only questioning whether that will bring an end to Rennie’s term in charge before it has even begun, but why the Kiwi would want the job anyway.
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments