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Wallabies next head coach not a 'done deal' says Rugby Australia boss

By AAP
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos says the race to be the next Wallabies coach is not a “closed shop” and rejected Brumbies coach Dan McKellar’s involvement in the national set-up as a conflict of interest.

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Dave Rennie is preparing Australia for next year’s World Cup, where a deep run could see the mentor extend his reign towards the 2027 edition on home soil.

That hasn’t stopped the jostling in the queue though.

Queensland Rugby were left incensed by comments this week from an unnamed RA source in a Nine Network report stating Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn was not a “team player” and wouldn’t be considered for the role.

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Thorn, who has led a Reds revival with the team clinching the 2021 Super Rugby AU title, was annoyed to have to address a faceless critic.

“”It’s always interesting when someone says something like that but if there’s no name to it – who am I talking to?” the former dual code international said on Thursday.

“I’ve been big on team here. Obviously from my playing career, in league or union, I wasn’t the bloke scoring lots of tries or flash stuff, I was the bloke hitting breakdowns and doing hit-ups and doing more of the team stuff.

“It’s annoying that I’ve got to stand here. If you feel strongly about something, have a chat, communicate. That’s normal.”

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Thorn said Wallabies staff had been welcomed into Reds training, with Rennie and co working at the Queensland headquarters this week.

The comments about Thorn fuelled ongoing speculation that McKellar, who has been an assistant to Rennie for two years and will join full time after this Super Rugby Pacific season, is the heir apparent for the job.

Marinos denied that was the case and said there had been no discussion about the future of the role beyond Rennie.

“No, it’s certainly not a done deal,” he told AAP.

“We have a Wallabies coach and we are happy with our coach. There is no ‘heir apparent’.

“You’ve got to have succession but Dan’s coming in with a point of difference from a forward’s perspective and adding that value.

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“Absolutely (Thorn is a contender); at no stage have we said it’s a closed shop or made a pre-determination.

“We believe Dave is the right man to take us forward but it’s about building the resources around us so that, you never know, if anyone needs to take over they’re in a good position to do so.”

The chief executive said Wallabies selections fell entirely on Rennie, insisting McKellar’s dual roles with club and country were not problematic.

“I don’t think it’s a conflict of interest when you’re coaching at a national level you’re there to put what’s best for the national team,” he said.

“Ultimately Dave takes full responsibility for the final decision.”

Former Wallabies captain Phil Kearns was a Thorn fan and thought competition for the coveted coaching role could only be a good thing for Australian rugby.

“I’m not sure Dave’s quite ready to give that up yet but Brad’s done terrific stuff for the Reds in rebuilding them,” the former NSW hooker said.

“I love his no-nonsense approach; it is hard and full of discipline, but a lot of sport is about discipline and getting those attention-to-detail things right.

“He demands that and has done well.

“Let’s keep them all competing for that job, just like players competing on the field.”

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Trevor 8 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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