From World Cup with England to the Waratahs, Scott Wisemantel’s long road home

Eddie Jones’s World Cup assistant set to replace Daryl Gibson at Waratahs, Wallabies endure pre-Tokyo torment and Cronulla’s No.1 fan dropping his rugby connections - it’s all in RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL.

Current England attack coach Scott Wisemantel is returning to the Waratahs.

• Huge omissions from World Cup squad
• Incredible numbers behind rookie’s rise

Scott Wisemantel is set to sign on as the new Waratahs coach imminently.

Working under Eddie Jones as England’s attack coach in preparation for the World Cup, Wisemantel has plenty on his plate but sources indicate all of the major terms have been agreed allowing him to replace Daryl Gibson next year.

Wisemantel is a former Wallaby and Waratahs assistant coach and had been touted as the frontrunner from the moment Gibson made the surprise announcement a fortnight ago to stand down with a year remaining on his contract.

Current England attack coach Scott Wisemantel is returning to the Waratahs.

With Simon Cron leaving for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, Wisemantel will be in the hunt for a forwards coach to join the team of Steve Tandy (defence) and Chris Whittaker (attack).

Dave Rennie, who had been touted as a potential Tahs coach this week, is inching closer to agreeing terms to become Wallabies coach after the World Cup when Michael Cheika will be replaced.

As for Wisemantel, some serious concerns remain about NSW’s roster for 2020.

Dave Rennie is firming as Michael Cheika’s replacement. Picture: Getty

Backrower Michael Wells is talking to the Queensland Reds, while backrower/lock Jed Holloway has interest from the Brumbies.

The future of five-eighth Mack Mason remains uncertain despite the departure of Bernard Foley to Japan, and some believe Kurtley Beale will be the man wearing the NSW No.10 jersey next year.

PRE-WORLD CUP HELL

Fitness guru Dean Benton has made an impressive impact in Wallabies camp.

Benton, who left the Wallabies to join England under Eddie Jones, only to return to Australia this year, has been putting the players through their paces on and off the field.

The Wallabies brains trust in Brisbane. Picture: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

The highly-rated strength and conditioning coach has had particular focus on the players’ sleep and nutrition, as well as their fitness levels, as he seeks to have them at optimal condition for the World Cup.

Players have found it tough going under Benton’s rigid plans but believe it will pay dividends come September.

PM’S NAME DROPPING

Prime Minister Scott Morrison may be the Sharks No.1 ticket holder but when it comes to diplomatic name dropping, it’s his friends in rugby he turns to when he wants to make a big impression.

Go the Cronulla Hawks. Picture: Getty

While attending the G20 Summit in Japan last week, Mr Morrison met with Olympic officials including IOC President Thomas Bach and Morinari Watanabe, the president of the international gymnastics federation, to push Southeast Queensland’s bid to land the 2032 Games.

Mr Watanabe took one look at the Prime Minister and asked him if he’d ever played rugby and Mr Morrison couldn’t resist telling his hosts he had some connections with Jones.

His host was suitably impressed as he had been involved in luring Jones to Japan, where he is a revered figure after leading the Brave Blossoms to victory over South Africa in the 2015 World Cup.