Why Alan Jones is wrong about Dave Rennie and the Wallabies

By Wayne Smith July 19, 2021 â€" 3.30pm

Back in the days when he was Wallabies coach, Alan Jones would have gone nuclear had anyone raised the issue of whether his players had lost faith in him.

So, the parting shot he delivered in his newspaper column last Friday was brutally designed to wound. In a direct question to current Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, Jones openly asked whether the Australian players still had confidence in him. “Do they believe you?”

We didn’t have long to wait for the answer. The following day at Suncorp Stadium, the Australian team produced their best performance of the Rennie era in the tie-breaking Test against France. Some, indeed, claimed it as the best since Australia beat Wales with two men in the bin during the 2015 World Cup.

I would argue it was even better than on that memorable day at Twickenham when they were forced to defend with 13 men for seven minutes following the yellow carding of Will Genia and Dean Mumm. Wales scarcely had time to work out how to exploit the Wallabies’ weakness, whereas the French had 75 minutes to explore how Marika Koroibete’s absence made Australia vulnerable.

In the end, they could manufacture only one try to their backs, exploiting Reece Hodge’s obligation to cover his left wing while also assisting in plugging the openside defence. Yes, it was spectacular rugby as Pierre-Louis Barassi scored, stirring memories of Serge Blanco’s mesmerising coast-to-coast crossing at Ballymore in 1990, but, like Blanco’s try, it did not change the outcome.

Afterwards, the Wallabies spoke of honouring the jersey, their families and their loyal fans. What they didn’t say - what they had no need to say because their actions spoke very clearly for them - was that they were also honouring their coach. “Did they believe him?” Yes, the evidence is they clearly did.

Noah Lolesio and Dave Rennie chat on the eve of the third Test against France. Credit:Getty

Jones has been running the sorry line that “we won’t advance with Rennie at the helm” virtually since the New Zealander took over the side last year. As he pointed out, Rennie had a success rate of 25 percent going into Saturday’s series-decider, a rate which rose to only 33 percent following the 33-30 victory. But let’s examine it another way. What if Rennie had a non-losing rate of 66 percent across his nine Tests? Three draws can play havoc with a coach’s win rate.

All indications are that Rennie is presiding over a happy team. There are whispers â€" as there always are â€" that there may be a Brumbies clique forming within the squad, but that was probably inescapable once Brumbies boss Dan McKellar joined the coaching staff. McKellar, more than anyone, would be mortified at those rumours and desperate to stamp them out.

What would be of more serious concern to Rennie would be the lack of football being played by the outer members of his squad. They are not being released for club football to ensure they are able to travel. But if circumstances force Rennie to turn to his “dirty dirties”, he could find that players such as Fraser McReight or Pone Fa’amausili have gone months without any rugby.

Taniela Tupou of the Wallabies celebrates victory.Credit:Getty

Yet the most compelling evidence that Rennie is settling into his task came with his condemnation of the French for “milking penalties” whenever a tackle strayed somewhat near the head. Once he might have thought such things but diplomatically kept them to himself. But on Saturday night he spoke out courageously. Because such criticism needed to be voiced, for the good of the game.

Rugby followers have all had a hearty laugh at clips of soccer players curling up in the foetal position after receiving the vaccine jab but what if what the French did on Saturday catches on? The joke will be on rugby. So, more power to Rennie as he calls out the Oscar-winners.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is making headway with his team.Credit:Getty

Meanwhile, the team at Rennie’s disposal continues to grow, and thankfully without serious injury. Darcy Swain’s confrontation is a welcome addition to the Wallabies pack, as was Isi Naisarani’s toughness. He doesn’t have Harry Wilson’s skills but there may be value in a horses-for-courses selection policy at number eight.

Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio should be allowed to develop as the Wallabies’ long-term halves while Len Ikitau is shaping as a permanent midfield partner to Hunter Paisami, despite the presence of potential 12’s in veterans James O’Connor and Matt To’omua.

Tighthead Taniela Tupou made such an impact at the death against France but will it be a waste holding him back until the 50th minute against the All Blacks? By that stage, the game could have already gotten away from Australia. As for Michael Hooper, he is evolving into a more thoughtful captain and inspirational captain. He will never be a classic seven but, with every player expected to be hard over the ball, is that even needed these days?

As with everything else, Rennie appears to be extremely comfortable with Hooper as his skipper.

Share this post