Rugby Australia has appointed a three-member panel consisting of rugby internationals Andrew Slack and Justin Harrison, along with high performance expert Darlene Harrison, to conduct a review of the country’s disappointing 2023 season and World Cup failure under former coach Eddie Jones. This comes after Australia’s inexperienced Wallabies squad crashed out of the World Cup group stage for the first time ever, leading to a wave of criticism aimed at Jones and Rugby Australia.
During Jones’ tenure, the Wallabies managed to secure just two wins out of nine tests in 2023. The panel’s main objective is to delve into the strategy and structure of the Wallabies’ performance environment and deliver their recommendations to the Rugby Australia board by the end of this year, according to an official statement released by Rugby Australia.
Phil Waugh, the CEO of Rugby Australia, expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance at the World Cup, stating that it was not up to par for a proud rugby nation like Australia. Andrew Slack, former Wallabies captain, brings his wealth of experience to the panel as he led the team to victory in the 1984 Grand Slam and also captained Australia at the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
Justin Harrison, a former Wallabies lock who played a crucial role in England’s triumph in the 2003 World Cup final, brings his player’s perspective to the review process. In addition, a Pasifika advisor will support the panel, given that many players in the Wallabies squad have Pacific islands heritage.
Rugby Australia sees it as their responsibility to continuously seek improvement in performance and deliver a world-class program for the Wallabies, as they are considered one of Australia’s most beloved sporting teams. It is anticipated that the review will provide insights and recommendations to foster improvement and restore the team’s reputation on the global rugby stage.
In summary, Rugby Australia has taken the initiative to conduct a thorough review of the Wallabies’ performance and structure following their disappointing World Cup campaign. The panel appointed for this purpose consists of esteemed rugby figures who will evaluate the team’s strategies and provide recommendations to the Rugby Australia board. The review process aims to identify areas for improvement to ensure that the Wallabies regain their competitive edge internationally.
