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Dave Rennie could leave Wallabies post if Raelene Castle is sacked - report

(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Rugby Australia could lose more than just their chief executive should Raelene Castle be axed from her position.

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According to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald, incoming Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie would reconsider his future if Castle is let go by RA.

Castle has come under heavy criticism in recent times as the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare RA’s financial issues and forced the organisation to further delay its broadcast deal negotiations.

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With no rugby to be played for the foreseeable future, the professional and community game faces an uncertain future as RA stares down the barrel of a financial loss of up to $120 million.

Rennie, who was seeing out the remainder of the PRO14 campaign with the Glasgow Warriors before coronavirus halted its progress, was due to join the Wallabies set-up before their test series against Ireland in July.

The SMH reports that Rennie is rattled by speculation over Castle’s future, and would reassess his plans if she was sacked.

The two-time Super Rugby-winning coach has spoken highly of Castle since signing on with RA, citing that his decision to take the Wallabies job offer came from a long lunch with the former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Netball New Zealand boss last year.

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“I had a lot of time to think about it. I got an approach from Australia reasonably early on, so I did my homework,” he said in January.

“Raelene flew to Jersey, we had a sit down for a few hours. She really impressed me. Smart and tough, really keen for change, and driven. The fact I know [director of rugby Scott Johnson], I felt the leadership here was really strong, I felt they’d have my back. That was a big part of it.”

Rennie’s acquisition at the end of 2019 was a big win for RA after two years of disappointment which culminated in poor test results, the Israel Folau drama and a quarter-final exit at the World Cup.

The 56-year-old only put pen to paper for the Wallabies job after Castle and director of rugby Scott Johnson spent six months trying to lure the former Chiefs and New Zealand U20 coach from his job in Scotland.

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Should Rennie follow Castle out the door in Australia, it would undo a significant amount of work which led to the signing of one of the most world’s most highly-regarded coaches.

Without Rennie at the helm, the Wallabies would have no head coach, which could force Johnson to step in as interim head coach alongside assistants Scott Wisemantel and Matt Taylor.

Brumbies boss Dan McKellar was understood to have been pursued by Rennie and Johnson as the new forwards coach for the Wallabies, and he could act as an emergency option if need be.

However, SMH reports it’s unlikely he would desert the Brumbies in such circumstances after they were left hanging in second place at the time of the Super Rugby suspension following round seven.

Castle said last week that RA’s cost-cutting efforts – which has seen her own salary slashed by 50 percent, staff wages drop by 30 percent and 75 percent of staff stood down until July 1 – wouldn’t impact Rennie immediately.

The organisation is currently staring down a revenue hole of $120 million if faced with the worst-case scenario of no rugby being played for the remainder of the year.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

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