'I don't think there's any reason to change any coach this close to a World Cup'

While a few coaches appear to be under some pressure following the Autumn Nations Series, former Wallaby Morgan Turinui has shared why he believe there’s “no reason” to make a change this close to a World Cup.

International rugby has never been this competitive, and that’s great for the sport, but the expectation for teams to win remains just as intense as it’s always been.

The Autumn Nations Series delivered a number of historic results last month, which have led to some speculation surrounding the futures of a few coaches ahead of the World Cup.

A wounded Wallabies outfit finished their season with an incredible comeback win over Wales in Cardiff, after trailing by as much as 21 points with just over 20 minutes to play.

It was a well deserved victory for the men in gold after a tough run of defeats by three points or less, including losses to the world’s two top ranked sides Ireland and France.

Poor discipline and inconsistent team selections appeared to hurt the Wallabies, who had lost six Tests from eight before heading to Europe.

Speaking on Between Two Posts, broadcaster Sean Maloney asked Turinui if coach Dave Rennie is actually under “real pressure” – and the former Test centre explained why the last month has been a “positive” for the men in gold.

“There’s always pressure, and these things can snowball out of control,” Turinui said.

“Now we look at the five Test spring your and we go win by one to Scotland, lose by one to France, lose by one to Italy, lose by three to Ireland, win by five to Wales.

“We’re a point, three points of the two best in the world.

“The content is enough for me to be positive knowing that there’s some huge lessons to learn around discipline and how to start a Test match effectively, consistency of selection.”

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium burst into a frenzy last weekend as winger Rio Dyer crossed for a try earlier in the second half, and seemingly extended the home sides lead to an unconquerable margin.

Wales had lost to Georgia for the first time ever earlier in the Autumn Nations Series, and they would’ve been eager to bounce back against one of their traditional rugby rivals.

But two yellow cards and a disastrous run of penalties against them helped Australia chip away at the deficit, before the Wallabies took the lead through a Lachlan Lonergan try with less than two minutes to play.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac “was nigh on dead man walking” after the loss against Georgia, but the disappointing collapse against the men in gold may pile on more pressure ahead of the World Cup.

“Wayne Pivac, it was nigh on dead man walking after Georgia. They were one from five in the Six Nations,” Turinui added.

“They beat South Africa in South Africa… they lost that series two-one and then the Georgia is that final stake probably.

“A significant victory against Australia might have helped (but) the way and the manner in which they lost that game, you would think that might be it. We’ve heard talk of Warren Gatland.”

The future of England boss Eddie Jones also appears to be up in the air at the moment, with the Daily Mail reporting that Warren Gatland could potentially replace him.

England lost seven of their 12 Test matches this year, which could possibly see former British and Irish Lions coach Gatland take over if Jones goes.

“I saw Eddie’s quote, which I’ve heard before ‘my fault’, where he sort of apologised and takes responsibility.

“I tell you what England players, these couple of weeks that’s going to cost you. It’ll just mean they’ve got to work harder, he’ll come down harder.

“I don’t think there’s any reason to change any coach this close to a World Cup. If it’s about a World Cup bounce to be better at the World Cup, it probably doesn’t work.

“If you just think you haven’t got the right guy and you might as well start the new regime that’s coming anyway now.

“If I’m England, I’m not getting rid of an experienced coach who has historical success at World Cups.”