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In the film industry, most sequels struggle to replicate the success of the original and such was the case with Eddie Jones and the Wallabies.
Jones’s first iteration as Wallabies coach from 2001 until 2005 included a World Cup final appearance in 2003 and the ability to compete with the best teams in the world.
That was then, and this is now. Jones’s second disastrous tenure as Wallabies coach has ended after just 10 months. It is now time to see who is likely to take over coaching duties at the Wallabies.
The front-runners
Dan McKellar. Rugby Australia has entered stormy seas and may well look to the steady hand of an experienced and proven Australian coach at the wheel.
Dan McKellar has just started coaching at Leicester Tigers in England.Credit: Getty
McKellar is only six months into a three-year deal at English giants Leicester Tigers, but could be tempted home to take up the reins of the Wallabies.
He spent five years in charge of the Brumbies and two years as Dave Rennie’s assistant at the Wallabies. He has a strong relationship with many of the Wallabies squad and may find this opportunity too good to turn down.
Stephen Larkham. Another obvious choice to take over from Jones. Larkham was a decorated player for the Wallabies and has in-depth knowledge of Australian rugby courtesy of two stints as Brumbies head coach from 2014 to 2017 and now.
He worked as the Wallabies attack coach before moving to Ireland to coach European heavyweights Munster from 2019 until 2022. Larkham’s stint in Ireland was largely disappointing, although he did take the province to a United Rugby Championship runner-up spot in 2021.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham during his time with Munster in Ireland.Credit: Getty
Larkham can be considered one of the great Wallabies as a player, but can he replicate this success as a coach?
The outside bet
Michael Cheika. Enjoyed a successful World Cup in France, almost leading Argentina to third place before being pipped by England. After a slow start in the tournament, Cheika galvanised the Pumas into a formidable outfit that defeated Wales in a thrilling quarter-final.
After the messy ending of Cheika’s reign as Wallabies coach in 2019, some forget his brilliance in his first year in 2015, winning World Rugby coach of the year and leading Australia to a World Cup final.
Michael Cheika at Argentina training.Credit: Getty
Cheika is credited in Ireland for turning Leinster into one of European rugby’s giants and is one of the game’s most innovative thinkers. This proud Australian could be the perfect short-term jump lead for a stuttering Wallabies’ engine.
The Wild Cards
Andy Friend. Perhaps not a household name in Australian rugby, Friend has built up an excellent reputation in European club rugby with Irish club Connacht.
Formerly in charge of Australia’s Sevens setup, Friend moved to the west of Ireland to take up the reins of Connacht in 2018.
Andy Friend during his time with Australia 7s.
Friend took charge of the smallest Irish club and achieved success with few resources, including European knock-out rugby for the first time. It would be a brave choice for the Wallabies, but not a bad one at all.
Joe Schmidt. The New Zealander is one of world rugby’s greatest innovators, known for his depth of analysis that transformed Irish rugby into a global force.
Joe Schmidt, assistant head coach of the All Blacks, acknowledges the crowd at the World Cup.Credit: Getty
After finishing as Ireland coach in 2019, he returned to New Zealand, where he has been working as part of the All Blacks coaching staff.
Now Scott Robertson is taking over at the All Blacks from Ian Foster, Schmidt could be tempted by a new challenge, while remaining close to his family. A very long shot, but not impossible.
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