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‘Not good enough’: Rugby Australia reveal details of external Wallabies review
By Finn Morton
Rugby Australia has revealed details of an external review into the Wallabies’ 2023 season after their woeful Rugby World Cup campaign which was “not good enough for a proud rugby nation.”
Former Australian international Andrew Slack and Justin Harrison will partake in the review as part of a three-member panel along with industry expert Darlene Harrison.
Rugby Australia also confirmed in a statement that “a Pasifika advisor will also support the panel and process.”
“The panel will review the strategy and structure of the Wallabies’ performance environment in 2023 and aims to deliver its recommendations to the Rugby Australia board before the end of the year,” the statement read.
The Wallabies are without a coach following the resignation of Eddie Jones this week. Jones, 63, was unveiled as Australia’s’ head coach in January.
With coach Jones at the helm, the Wallabies failed to get off the mark ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Australia collected the wooden spoon in The Rugby Championship, were swept 2-nil in the Bledisloe Cup series, and lost a warm-up Test to France.
But things went from bad to worse as the 2023 Wallabies became the first-ever Australian side to bow out in the pool stage of a men’s Rugby World Cup.
Australia only won two of nine Tests in 2023.
In the wake of the disappointment of the disastrous campaign, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh believes the three-panel members can bring expertise and experience to the review.
“As rugby fans, we were all disappointed in the results at the World Cup – the performance was not good enough for a proud rugby nation like ours,” Waugh said.
“We had a new coach, new staff and a lot of new players – many of whom have only just started their careers, and who will be the future stars of Australian Rugby.
“The Wallabies have a proud history as one of Australia’s most loved sporting teams, and it is our responsibility as custodians to continually seek to improve performance and deliver a world-class program.
“Andrew, Justin and Darlene are highly respected, and I believe they possess the credentials to be able to deliver a thorough and considered external review.”
Andrew Slack represented 39 times as a centre, including at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Slack was made a member of the Order of Australia for services to rugby and has also been inducted into the Wallaby Hall of Fame.
Slack will be joined by fellow former Wallaby Justin Harrison on the board. Harrison played in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and is currently the CEO of the Rugby Union Players Association.
Harrison is also a popular commentator on Stan Sport.
Finally, Darlene Harrison has more than 20 years of experience in elite sport. Harrison spent time with the Australian Sports Commission and AIS in high-performance and executive roles for more than 10 years.
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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