Australia rugby coaching great John Connolly calls for Wallabies to pursue Dave Rennie return

Legendary Reds and former Wallabies coach John Connolly believes the solution to Australian rugby’s coaching future is simple: go back to the man they sacked two years ago

Former Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie. Picture: Getty Images

John Connolly believes Australian rugby should consider rehiring New Zealand’s Dave Rennie, the Wallaby coach they sacked two years ago.

Connolly, one of the first judges to predict former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones would be an unmitigated disaster, would normally prefer to see an Australian coach Australia but feels the best options to replace current mentor Joe Schmidt are foreigners.

Schmidt announced he will step down as Wallaby coach after the Rugby Championship in October.

The Queensland Reds’ Les Kiss and the ACT Brumbies’ Steve Larkham have been touted as front-runners for the job but Connolly senses the best options are abroad.

Former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie looks on as players huddle. Picture: Getty Images

“Of the four Australian Super Rugby coaches, none of them have standout resumes,’’ Connolly told Code Sports at his induction into the Queensland Rugby Union Hall of Fame at a lunch in Brisbane on Friday.

“That’s the problem. When I look overseas I see some good options.

“I would pick up the phone and call (New Zealander) Dave Rennie again and see whether he was available.

“I felt Rennie was very harshly treated last time. He had some close losses to the All Blacks.’’

Rennie won just 12 of 33 Tests in charge of the Wallabies and was hastily shunted out the door in January, 2023, as Australia recruited Jones in a shambolic call that triggered chaos in the code.

John Connolly was inducted into Queensland rugby’s Hall of Fame. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“You have to see who ticks all the boxes. Rennie ticks most of them. (New Zealand’s) Jamie Joseph has always impressed me and I would also see if he was available. I don’t think they will go down the Michael Cheika route.

“(Ireland’s) Ronan O’Gara has had a little bit of coaching experience and has been in France with La Rochelle but might be a little behind the other two.’’

Connolly, who coached the Reds in more than 200 games between 1989-2000 in one of their most successful eras, was inducted into the Hall of Fame with Test winger Brendan Moon and former Wallaroo Bronwyn Laidlaw.

Originally published as Australia rugby coaching great John Connolly calls for Wallabies to pursue Dave Rennie return