Rugby reset: The way forward for Wallabies after World Cup debacle
Rugby Australia has to rebuild trust with their own players as well as fans and other stakeholders as the full toll of the World Cup debacle becomes apparent.
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Regaining the trust of Wallabies players will be a major step in the “reset” of Australian rugby, boss Phil Waugh said after unveiling Peter Horne as the new high performance director of the game.
An internal review of the botched World Cup under Eddie Jones is ongoing, but already it has become apparent that top Wallabies players have lost significant confidence in the governing body.
This masthead understands that among the issues raised by players in their reviews were the sudden axing of former coach Dave Rennie at the start of this year – after they’d backed him in last year’s review – and the signing of NRL star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to a record-breaking $5.35 million deal at a time they were being told the game had no money.
And Jones’ erratic tenure as Wallabies coach, during which he hired numerous support staff and players were being overloaded with information, is also criticised in the reviews.
“Building trust, not just with our fans and the community, but rebuilding trust with the playing group is realty important,” Waugh said.
“That’s been quite evident in what I’ve seen come through the review already, so a lot of work to do. And our engagement, and how we engage with players is critical.
“And this role, the director of high performance that Peter will have is critical to the reset we’ll have going on in ’24.”
Waugh was reluctant to spend too long discussing Jones, who resigned after the World Cup tournament had started in September.
“I still took Eddie for his word, that was the word we were given, and we’ve moved on,” Waugh said.
“It’s a really exciting time for Australian rugby. I know it’s been a really disappointing 2023, and we acknowledge and recognise that, we’ve stood up and taken responsibility as an organisation for the disappointment of the 23 campaign, but looking forward to 24.”
Horne, originally from Canberra, has spent 14 years working for Word Rugby and the past decade in high performance roles.
In his first public appearance after being given the role on Friday, Horne exuded calm and pragmatism as he discussed the way forward for a Wallabies team at an all-time low.
That begins with appointing Jones’ replacement, and with David Nucifora also returning to Australia midway through 2024 but having involvement in the decision, it gives Australia the best chance to get Joe Schmidt.
The Kiwi is the most capable candidate among those who have been linked to the role – including Stephen Larkham and Michael Cheika – and Horne is open to bringing in another foreigner.
“It’s more around best fit, and the right person for the role so we can get the success, I’m totally open to whether it’s an international candidate or Australian,” Horne said.
“As an Australia, I love to see Australians leading. But in this situation where we’re at, it’s the best person for the role.
“It’s vital we get the right person, it’s important we attract the best possible candidates and then we need to create the best possible team from a coaching team, support staff and more broadly, how that integrates into the broader high-performance system within Rugby Australia.
“Most head coaches, they come [and say] ‘This is my team and this is where we’re going’, but there is a discussion that goes around recruiting the right people and getting the right team.
“They need to be open, and whether there are Australians within the system that they may not know who can contribute well, whether it’s a scrum coach or forwards coach or what the combination is.
“I’m really open to a coach that brings a team, but also, how do we get the right people to create a better team? And that may be a combination of others that are already in our system.”
Waugh added: “Our competitive advantage in sport is being Australian, and so that Australian way and Australian culture needs to be driven through the team, but that can be driven through a coach that is not from Australia.
“A lot of focus goes on the head coach, but we need to be selecting a head coach that’s going to bring the best possible team and management with them, and all players will recognise it’s not just about the head coach.
“It’s about the skill-set that the assistant coaches, and how they complement each other, and how we drive that real cohesive high-performing culture.”
Horne brings vast experience, and he’ll need to use it all to get the Wallabies firing after their first ever pool stage exit at a World Cup, and with the British & Irish Lions touring here in two years.
“I’ve been involved with 28 different countries, they’re all part of our high performance program around improving their competitiveness in the international game, and every system that each country has is slightly different,” Horne said.
“The key thing for me is getting the Wallabies up and running.
“Getting the structure together, getting the right team, right people in the right roles is a huge piece.”
Waugh said: “I’ve been really clear that we need to be disciplined in the organisation, and before we go to selecting the next coach is the director of high performance, excited to have Peter on board “Peter and I will be talking about the process and what is the appropriate selection panel.
“Ideally we want to be having an appointment in Q1 (first quarter of 2024) given the Welsh are here in July.
“We understand time is against us, but equally it’s really important to get the process right.”
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Originally published as Rugby reset: The way forward for Wallabies after World Cup debacle
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