The fiercely Australian coach is suddenly a free agent with an axe to grind and a World Cup plan – and the Wallabies need a wildcard to win big in 2023
In sacking Eddie Jones as head coach nine months out from the World Cup, English rugby may have gift-wrapped an early Christmas present for the woebegone Wallabies in 2023. The fiercely Australian Jones is suddenly a free agent with an axe to grind and a World Cup plan. That makes him a very dangerous adversary to his old masters, and a huge – if slightly volatile – weapon of mass destruction should the men in gold snap him up as a gun-for-hire.
Rugby Australia has backed its coach, Dave Rennie, through to the 2023 World Cup in France. It has committed to his vision, acknowledged his popularity among the players and backed him to deliver when it matters most. To do so when Rennie has a 37% win record (lowest of any Australian coach in the professional era) and when the team has had its worst season of his three in charge, speaks of RA’s admirable loyalty, bold vision or foolhardiness.
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