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Brumbies coach McKellar admits interest in Wallabies role

02 Mar 2020

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar. (Photo / Getty Images)

Coach Dan McKellar has the Brumbies humming just over two years into his Super Rugby head coaching career but he admits when the Wallabies call, you answer.

McKellar has been sounded out by new Australian coach Dave Rennie to join his staff as an assistant leading into the 2023 World Cup.

The 43-year-old McKellar had a tough induction at the Brumbies, losing eight of the first 11 games he coached. He’s since won 17 of 27.

In McKellar’s second season, the Brumbies won the 2019 Australian conference and made the semi-finals. After five rounds this season they sit top of their group.

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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

Rugby Australia has pitched McKellar the possibility of serving an apprenticeship under Rennie and then replacing the New Zealander as Wallabies coach after the World Cup.

The Brumbies boss has never made any secret of his ambitions to coach at international level but also wants to finish the job he started in Canberra.

The most likely scenario if McKellar joins the Wallabies is he’ll coach in tandem with the Brumbies until his provincial contract expires at the end of next season.

“The Wallabies need an assistant coach and they raised it a few weeks back and it would be an honour to be involved in the Australian setup,” McKellar told AAP.

Reports in France claim another big name is headed for the exit at Allianz Park.https://t.co/Z3oUJ0lZzr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

“Coaches are no different to players in they want to coach at the highest level and I have aspirations to do that and I’m sure it would be a great environment to work in.

“I’m really flattered to be involved in those conversations but right now I’m focused on the Brumbies.”

McKellar knows any discussions around succession plans are just that as he watched former colleague Stephen Larkham head down a similar road and it ended in tears.

A statement from Sale read, "The club and Chris have reached a mutual agreement regarding the termination of his Sale Sharks contract and he will leave the club immediately." pic.twitter.com/qByGwDbFqk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika declared his assistant and then-Brumbies coach Larkham his successor before sacking him at the end of 2018.

Larkham was widely seen as Cheika’s scapegoat after one of Australia’s worst Test seasons in history.

“That (coaching Brumbies and Wallabies) is something that’s been done in the past but discussions haven’t progressed to that point,” McKellar said.

“In professional sport and coaching, things can change really quickly so you wouldn’t be getting too excited about conversations around succession planning and that sort of thing.”

Watch: Six Nations £300m paywall deal: ‘We would not rule anything out’.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 20 hours ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 21 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 21 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 21 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 21 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 21 hours ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 21 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 21 hours ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 22 hours ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 22 hours ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 22 hours ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 22 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 23 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍