Rugby Australia got another wake-up call earlier this week as they trudge toward finding their next Wallabies coach. The All Blacks hit the ground running with a pre-season camp led by new coach Scott Robertson and his coaching staff in Auckland. This marked a significant step as it allowed Robertson to assess and develop relationships with 22 players, following his appointment as the next All Blacks coach. Meanwhile, Rugby Australia is still another six weeks away from naming Eddie Jones’ replacement and assembling a coaching team. Laurie Fisher, a part of Dave Rennie’s Wallabies coaching staff, highlighted the differences between the All Blacks and Wallabies and criticized the slowness of Rugby Australia’s decision-making process. The search for Jones’ replacement has been slow and the lack of investment in Australian coaches has narrowed down the shortlist to a few names. The urgency of finding a new coach is further emphasized by the upcoming matches against Wales and the British and Irish Lions. The delay could potentially impact sponsorships, player contracts, and attendance at Super Rugby matches. Amidst this uncertainty, players like Mark Nawaqanitawase have already chosen to join rival codes. The urgency to find a new coach for the Wallabies is paramount.
