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'The ideal scenario is that the next coach is Australian': Dave Rennie drops hint at Wallabies coaching future

By Online Editors
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has hinted that he may not stick around with the Australian national side beyond the 2023 World Cup.

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The 56-year-old New Zealander, who is yet to take charge of his first game for the Wallabies due to the COVID-19 outbreak, instead believes an Australian should succeed him in once his tenure comes to an end.

Rennie took charge of the Wallabies this month after concluding his time with Scottish PRO14 side Glasgow Warriors, replacing former boss Michael Cheika, who led Australia to a quarter-final exit at last year’s World Cup in Japan.

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Dan McKellar and Allan Alaalatoa speak to media

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Dan McKellar and Allan Alaalatoa speak to media

Becoming just the second Kiwi to take the job after Robbie Deans was signed by Rugby Australia in 2008, Rennie’s appointment comes with the task of re-building the Wallabies after falling to a lowly seventh place on the World Rugby rankings.

The added weight of expectation to end a 17-year Bledisloe Cup drought against the All Blacks and help revive rugby union’s declining status within Australia also loom as prominent aspects on Rennie’s agenda.

While many see the two-time Super Rugby-winning coach as the right man to meet those expectations, the former Chiefs boss suggested he may only have until France 2023 to fulfil those expectations as he remains “uncertain” about extending his current four-year deal.

“I’m not certain,” he told The Australian on Monday when asked if he planned to be around for the 2027 World Cup.

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“The ideal scenario is that the next coach is Australian and there needs to be some thought around that. If there is someone ready to go after the [2023] World Cup, that may be in the best interests of Australian rugby.

“You can’t think too far ahead in this game.

“I’m fully committed to the [2023] World Cup but what happens beyond that … there has to be an emphasis around identifying and developing other coaches to coach Australia.”

The Wallabies’ first assignment under the tutelage of Rennie remains unclear as the COVID-19 pandemic has effectively eliminated the international calendar this year.

Hopes remain high, however, for a four-match Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks between October and November, while talks are underway for a revised Rugby Championship to take place exclusively in New Zealand at the end of the year.

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Senzo Cicero 10 hours ago
'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in'

1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!

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FEATURE 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in'
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