Rennie sacked, Jones to coach Wallabies at World Cup

Rugby Australia has sacked Wallabies coach Dave Rennie with immediate effect and replaced him with Eddie Jones for this year’s World Cup.

Jones, who was Wallabies coach from 2001 to 2005, has signed a five-year deal that will take him through to the 2027 World Cup.

Jones will also oversee the Wallaroos program in a move that will stun Australian rugby. He was sacked as England coach late last year, and will start with RA on January 28, almost seven months before the World Cup in France.

Rennie was told by RA on Monday morning that after three years in the job, his services were no longer required. Last year yielded just five wins from 14 Tests.

A 38 per cent win record was not enough to save his job, despite being so close to the World Cup.

In a statement, RA chairman Hamish McLennan confirmed the news.

“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’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level.

“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”

In a statement, Jones said he was looking forward to getting “stuck in”.

The highs and lows of Eddie Jones’ career

• 1994: Begins his coaching career at former club Randwick after quitting teaching.
• 1998: After a spell in Japan as an assistant coach, Jones returns to Australia to coach the ACT Brumbies.
• 2001: Jones leads the Brumbies to their first Super 12 title. He begins coaching Australia A and takes over as Wallabies coach following Rod Macqueen’s retirement.
• The Wallabies win the 2001 Tri Nations and reach the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, which they lose to England.
• 2005: After seven straight defeats, Jones is axed by the Wallabies.
• 2006: Jones take over at the Queensland Reds on a three-year deal. He resigns the following year after a disastrous season, capped by an 89-point loss to the Bulls.
• 2007: Jones becomes a technical advisor to South Africa for the World Cup. The Springboks win the competition.
• 2009: He rejoins Suntory Sungoliath, one of the teams he previously coached in Japan.
• 2012: Japan appoint him as head coach.
• 2015: Jones guides Japan to the Asian Rugby Championship title and an upset win over South Africa at the World Cup. Later that year, he becomes England coach.
• 2016: Jones leads England to their first Six Nations grand slam in 13 years. Later that year, they tour Australia and seal a three-Test series whitewash.
• 2017: England lose 13-9 to Ireland in Dublin - Jones’ first loss with the side.
• 2018: England finish fifth in the Six Nations, their lowest position since the 1983 Five Nations season.
• 2019: England lose the World Cup final to South Africa in Japan. Jones’ four-year deal is extended until the 2023 World Cup.
• 2022: Jones is sacked in December after England’s worst run of results since 2008, winning only five from 12 Tests.

“It is 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.”

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