Wallabies legend George Gregan lifts lid on Dave Rennie's impact - and why the All Blacks might be 'worried'
Wallabies legend George Gregan, who was a member of the Australian team that last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2003, says he’s been impressed with the direction his former side is going under coach Dave Rennie.
Speaking to his old rival Justin Marshall on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown, Gregan gave his assessment on the current state of Australian rugby and in particular the Wallabies, saying Rennie and his coaching team have already had a big impact on the national team.
“I think it’s trending and tracking in the right direction,” Gregan said. “You saw that with the first test match result against the All Blacks in Wellington. It was a really spirited performance. And you can see that Dave Rennie and the coaching group he’s assembled have really had a big impact on a really good young talented group with some talented players who have experience.
“There’s always been talented players within Australian rugby, it’s just a matter of making sure they’re all on the same page and pulled in the right direction.
“There’s good support for the national coach at all levels. I thought the way the Reds and the Brumbies played at Super Rugby AU was really impressive. You’ve seen players picked on form with a winning habit going into the national setup.
“And Dave Rennie as we know, history shows it doesn’t matter if it’s with the Waikato Chiefs, New Zealand under-20s when he won many championships and also when he when across and did a great job in Edinburgh, the guy knows how to transform teams and create a really good, I guess, attitude, belief, the buzzword is culture, within the teams that he coaches. I think we’ve seen that early doors.”
The 47-year-old former halfback says he appreciated Rennie’s honesty and how he’s been going about fixing the areas that have let the Wallabies down in the first two Bledisloe Cup clashes.
“What I’ve liked about Dave Rennie, he points out some of the key areas which let them down. He did in Wellington and he certainly did in Auckland. So they’ll be really working on those things – the connection in defence, making sure you do all those really small things really well, good communication and not dropping off.
“You need to do that 80 plus minutes as we saw in Wellington against the All Blacks. They have enough potency, they have points in them, they have the ability to score points, which I really like about this Wallabies squad. So it’s just about getting the other side of the ball right and make sure you’re not missing 20 or 40 tackles in total.”
Gregan also liked what he was seeing at the administration level, another volatile area for Australia over the years since he was a menace in the Wallabies backline.
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“At administration level I think we’ve been really impressed by what Hamish McLennan has done, trying to get everyone – it’s not just from top down, but from the ground up as well – getting involved with the game and feeling passionate about what rugby means to this country and what it means to the people. So I think they’re all simple things which they’re the foundations of all good sports particularly rugby.”
When it comes to players, Gregan was impressed with the performances of halfback Nic White, who has featured heavily for the Wallabies despite not being a regular starter during the Super Rugby season.
“I think he’s a really good selection. He’s a super competitor. Most guys with No 9 on their back are really competitive. He’s really evolved his game over the years.
“He asks questions and if you knock off on either side of the ruck around that second or third defender, he’s going to back himself. And that’s probably been the biggest evolution in his game since he’s returned to Australia.”
Gregan also spoke about the improvements within the Australian forwards, and gave a special shoutout to front rowers James Slipper and Taniela Tupou as well as lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
“They certainly have fronted up. It’s not a cliché, it’s a reality of our game – your tight-five, you live by the sword and die by the sword as a team by the efforts they put in. They’re often the unsung heroes.
“Set-piece, lineout, delivering good quality ball, their work around the field at the contact areas, those sorts of things make a huge difference in how a team can find its cohesion and find its energy and find its rhythm. And that’s what this Wallaby team has shown so far and they need to continue to do it. Also the set piece, like the scrum I know that’s always been a bit of a soft side of any Wallaby team – you just hear that all the time – but this is a strong squad.”
Gregan’s quiet confidence even caused Marshall to suggest that he was “worried” for the All Blacks.
“He’s confident but not overly confident. He’s got me slightly worried actually.”
The Wallabies host the All Blacks at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in the third Bledisloe Cup test on Saturday at 9.45pm.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments