Rugby: ‘Disappointed’ Rennie says he had backing of Wallabies players before sacking
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Australia's head coach Dave Rennie’s demise was ascribed to his dismal 38% win record in his time in charge.
PHOTO: AFP
SYDNEY – Dave Rennie said he had the “full support” of the Wallabies players and squad before his shock sacking on Monday, expressing his disappointment that he would be unable to fulfil his contract and lead them at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
In a bombshell move by Rugby Australia, the New Zealander – who took over from Michael Cheika at the end of 2019 – was peremptorily fired after three seasons and replaced by Australian Eddie Jones, who was sacked as England coach in December.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to see out my contract in the way I agreed to back in 2019 but leave knowing I had the full support of the playing group and the staff,” he said in a statement released by Rugby Australia on Wednesday.
“I certainly felt we have made massive shifts over the past three years both on and off the field, which is off the back of a hell of a lot of hard work put in by good people.
“I wish Eddie, the staff and the team all the best in what’s a massive year, with the Rugby World Cup less than nine months away.”
Rennie also said he had received hundreds of messages of support from current and former players, coaches, administrators and others since his shock firing.
“The support has been immense and much appreciated from the more than 500 messages I’ve received,” he said.
Rennie’s demise was ascribed to his dismal 38 per cent win record in his time in charge, which included two losses to Jones’ England in a three-match series last July.
“I’ve loved my time with the team,” the 59-year-old added. “They’re outstanding young men who are keen to learn and prepared to work hard.”
“The staff I worked with during my time with the Wallabies are some of the best in the world and they played a massive role in creating a quality environment and developing the depth of the playing group.”
Australian media reports last week had linked him with a move to Japanese club Kobe Steelers for 2024 if his Australia contract was not extended after the World Cup.
Rennie did not comment on his future.
Meanwhile, Jones has vowed to make the team “super fit” leading into the World Cup in France while reverting to a more attacking style of rugby.
“This (Australia) team is not too far away. Dave Rennie has done a great job under difficult circumstances, as they were probably affected more by Covid than most countries,” he said.
“We’ll need to find a point of difference. That might be going back to that more aggressive, attacking Australian style of rugby, with a more aggressive defence.
“Really playing like a traditional Australian side did.”
REUTERS, AFP
