Ex-Wallaby legend sets the 'pass mark' for incoming coach Eddie Jones
The rugby world was rocked on Monday morning Australian time as news broke that Eddie Jones will return to coach the Wallabies just weeks after being let go by England.
Head coach Dave Rennie has been sacked, effective immediately, in order to make way for Jones to start on January 28th, who has been handed a five-year deal to coach the side through 2027.
Former Wallaby legend and two-time World Cup-winner Tim Horan reacted to the blockbuster appointment as a bold 'risk' that might be worth taking given the state of the Wallabies win-loss record.
Horan went further to set the bar for incoming coach Jones to 'justify' the dramatic decision to let Rennie go with three milestones he must meet.
His criteria for success include winning the Bledisloe Cup back within two years, a trophy the Wallabies last held during Jones last tenure as head coach in 2002, making a World Cup semi-final and winning the British & Irish Lions series in 2025.
The 2023 Bledisloe Cup will be a two-match fixture, with one already scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With the other one on New Zealand soil, the Wallabies would have to win both Tests to reclaim the Cup.
Australia does have a favourable 2023 World Cup draw after being grouped in Pool C alongside Wales and Fiji. They will face off against Pool D qualifiers but none of the current top four ranked sides will feature on the Wallabies side.
Former Wallaby great Matt Giteau also weighed in, who was coached by Jones early in his international career, had a warning for the current playing group.
Ex-Wallaby Drew Mitchell commented that the situation reminded him of 2019 but asked where the accountability is for the selection committee that have made the decision.
At what point does the focus turn on the people who make the appointments in the first place??
These tweets aren’t about my thoughts on who or who shouldn’t be the man in charge.
To some extent, feels like history is repeating itself.— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) January 15, 2023
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos thanked Dave Rennie for his work in an official statement recognising the effort of the Kiwi coach over his three-year tenure.
“I would like to thank Dave for his hard work and effort with the Wallabies – we are grateful for all that he has done for Australian Rugby," Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said.
“Dave has been instrumental in developing much of the depth that we see in and around the current Wallabies squad; there are a number of players that are genuine World Cup possibilities because of opportunities that Dave has provided.
“The work ethic, the spirit within the group, and the way the team carries itself are all a direct result of Dave’s input – he has made a real mark on this group of players.”
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Everywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
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