Dave Rennie named as new Wallabies coach

New Zealander Dave Rennie signs on as Michael Cheika’s replacement through to the 2023 World Cup.

Dave Rennie is set to be named as head coach of the Wallabies. Picture: Getty Images

Rugby Australia has put an end to the speculation by confirming New Zealander Dave Rennie as the new Wallabies head coach, replacing Michael Cheika who resigned following a disappointing World Cup campaign.

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Rennie, 55, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal that will allow him to take the Wallabies to the 2023 World Cup in France. He is not expected to arrive in Australia until after he has finished his current commitments to the Glasgow Warriors. That probably means a June arrival, giving him less than a month to prepare the Australian side for its two Test series against Ireland.

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Given the absence of any frontline contenders — with Dan McKellar of the Brumbies making a realistic assessment of where he is in his coaching career before announcing that he is not yet ready to coach the Wallabies — Rennie certainly loomed as a prime candidate.

It is surprising, however, that RA has decided to make its announcement before NZ has settled on a replacement for Steve Hansen because whoever misses out on the All Black position would surely have come strongly into the reckoning for the Wallabies job. Still, that was not the way RA wanted to play it, with director of rugby Scott Johnson announcing that he wanted Australia to make its own call, not taking NZ cast-offs.

It is difficult to know precisely how strongly Rennie himself figured as a potential All Black coach. Certainly the favourites are Scott Robertson of the Crusaders and current NZ assistant coach Ian Foster but the word from New Zealand was that Rennie also was being strongly considered. If that if the case, it certainly speaks highly for his personal standards, the fact that he committed to Australia before he suddenly came into the reckoning for the prized All Black job.

EXCLUSIVE | Dave Rennie talks about his decision to leave the club at the end of the season to become the next Head Coach of Australia. pic.twitter.com/lhQmY78ART

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) November 19, 2019

Those who know the Glasgow Warriors coach speak highly of his ability to work with other people, which was hardly the trademark of the only other foreign coach of the Wallabies, Robbie Deans, or indeed Cheika.

While his on-field successes with the Chiefs — he took them to two Super Rugby titles — are often attributed to the help he received from All Black maestro Wayne Smith, there is no question that Rennie put in some outstanding work rebuilding the Chiefs culture. A key to that was enlisting Sonny Bill Williams to his cause and there is little doubt that Williams played a key role in the Waikato franchise coming strongly together.

His record of taking the Chiefs to the finals in each of the six seasons he spent in Hamilton speaks volumes for his consistency over a long period.

Raelene Castle says Rennie’s appointment is a ‘massive coup for Australian rugby’. Picture: Getty Images

Certainly the evidence of the 2012 and 2013 seasons was that the Chiefs under Rennie played an adventurous brand of football, and after taking over as Glasgow coach in 2017-18, that style persisted, with the Warriors reaching the playoffs of both the Pro 14 and European Champions Cup for the first time in only his second season with them.

“My wife, Steph and I have spent the past few months considering our future and we’re really excited about our decision,” Rennie said today in a prepared statement.

“I’ve been coaching professionally for over 20 years and wherever I’ve gone, I’ve immersed myself in the community and culture. I believe I can make a difference here.

“There are some outstanding young men coming through the schools system. I want to create a strong connection with the Super Rugby and national age grade Coaches and help them achieve their goals, which will benefit the Wallabies in time.

“When I met Raelene Castle, I was really impressed with her plans for the future of Australian Rugby and I’m keen to be part of that.

“We’ve loved our time here in Glasgow. The coaching group and management are absolutely world class. The work ethic and passion of the players has been incredible, and we will miss them,” said Rennie.

What will be critical will be the selection of the coaching staff that he puts around him. Certainly, if Australia is to be in position to select one of its own as Wallabies coach in future, as chief executive Castle has promised, RA must insist that Australians fill most if not all the specialist coaching roles.

Castle said Rennie had always been their favoured choice to replace Cheika, who fell on his sword after the World Cup and a series of poor results leading into it.

“This is a massive coup for Australian rugby. Dave Rennie was the clear standout candidate for the job, and we’re thrilled to have secured his services,” she said.

“Dave’s coaching philosophy focuses equally on football and team culture, the key pillars to building sustainable success in any team.

“He has a proven track record in the northern and southern hemisphere.”

With AAP