Wallabies sack Dave Rennie, bring back Eddie Jones to lead team

The Wallabies have brutally swung the axe in a move nobody saw coming ahead of the Rugby World Cup this year.

Rugby fans worldwide have been left in disbelief after the Wallabies brutally swung the axe and sent coach Dave Rennie packing.

Rennie was contracted through until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but was let go on Monday morning according to The Daily Telegraph.

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Eddie Jones is set to return and take over at the helm after he was sacked as the England coach at the end of 2022.

Jones led the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final with his tenure in charge ending back in 2005.

With the World Cup only eight months away the former Australian coach has his work cut out for him after a bleak past few years for the Wallabies.

Rennie departs after three-years as the coach, finishing with the lowest win percentage (38 per cent) of any coach with a minimum 30 Tests.

Jones is said to have put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal which would see him lead the Wallabies through two World Cup’s (2023, 2027) and the series against the British and Irish Lions (2025) which will be played in Australia. He will also take over the Wallaroos.

Dave Rennie out, Eddie Jones in

Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said securing Jones’ signature was a “major coup” for the Wallabies.

“It is a major coup for Australian rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies and to oversee the Wallaroos program,” McLennan said.

“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rubgy – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise.”

Jones released a statement confirming the news and stating he believes the Wallabies could win the World Cup.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to be able to come home to Australia and lead my nation to a Rugby World Cup,” Jones said.

“It is going to be an immense period for Australian Rugby – as a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years.

“The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth – if we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.

“I saw how gutsy the Wallaroos were in the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year – it looks like there is a real spirit in that group that will drive the women’s program forward ahead of their next World Cup in 2025.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back home and getting stuck in.”

Jones tenure with the Wallabies commences on January 29.

🦘 Excited to have Eddie back on board.

We'd like to thank Dave for his service to the team and wish him the best for the future.#Wallabiespic.twitter.com/TQJ6Awsbld

— Wallabies (@wallabies) January 15, 2023

Conversations between Jones and Rugby Australia reportedly began after the former Wallabies mastermind led England to a series victory over the Aussies Down Under.

Rennie will be paid out the remainder of his contract with the Wallabies and placed on gardening leave, according to The Roar's Christy Doran.

The now-former Wallabies coach is believed to have a job lined up in Japan’s League One competition after the World Cup.

News of the sudden axing left fans in disbelief with many questioning the decision being made so close to the upcoming World Cup.

Others however couldn’t believe the Wallabies had pulled off such a coup and that England had let the mastermind go.

I can't quite get my head around Eddie Jones being the new Wallabies' coach.

— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) January 15, 2023

Dave Rennie, holy shot!!! 😱#Wallabies

— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) January 15, 2023

Eddie Jones is back. He takes over the Wallabies with immediate effect, replacing Dave Rennie. Jones signs five-year deal and will take Australia into the 2023 RWC and through to 2027.

— Tom Hamilton (@tomhamiltonespn) January 15, 2023

This is massive. Not sure I agree with this decision so close to the World Cup but if it blows up in Australia’s face a few heads should roll. #rugby#wallabieshttps://t.co/DfxqgJiAf9

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) January 15, 2023

What a coup. Regardless of how the last 3yrs have gone with England, he’s a proven winner on the biggest stage. His RWC win percentage is ridiculous. Always thought the decision would come back to haunt England. Imagine now if the Wallabies knocked them out! https://t.co/e5FoCbP9Cz

— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) January 15, 2023

Originally published as Wallabies sack Dave Rennie, bring back Eddie Jones to lead team