Ex-All Black Stephen Donald has jumped to the defence of former Chiefs mentor Dave Rennie after he was sacked as Wallabies head coach on Monday.
The world cup hero, who was coached to two Super Rugby titles by Rennie in 2012 and 2013, says he hurts for his former coach and has qualms about his successor, Eddie Jones’, ability to lead the Wallabies to any more success.
“I’ve got to admit, I’m hurt for someone that I’ve got a lot of respect for in Dave Rennie and how this has all unfolded,” Donald told SENZ Breakfast.
“It is a massive, massive call. I think there’s a whole lot more at play here, I mean, they’re looking for a magic bullet here and unfortunately, I think it’s getting shot in the wrong places.”
Rennie’s time as Wallabies head coach came to an end following a disappointing tenure which saw him record 13 wins, three draws and 18 losses over a three-year period.
In comparison, Jones was sacked under similar conditions by the England Rugby Football Union in December for a dismal 2022 record with England that saw him win just five Tests in 12 matches.
While Donald supports Rugby Australia’s decision to reinstate Jones, who formerly coached Australia between 2001 and 2005, he believes Rennie was treated unfairly and would warn other Kiwi coaches against heading across the Tasman.
“They’ve (Rugby Australia) turned on him,” he added.
“You go over the history of Kiwi coaches over there … if you’re a Kiwi coach who has a career in front of them, you wouldn’t go anywhere near Australia.
“When you look at it, Robbie Deans went there as the most successful Super Rugby coach, highly respected, had already had times in the All Blacks and if it wasn’t for that semi-final against Australia with Mitch then they would have probably been rolled over another campaign, that didn’t happen so Robbie goes and (is) successful against the Crusaders then takes the Aussie job.
“He lasts … a few years and then the political beasts within Australian rugby get rid of him.
“Eddie Jones, I see why they’ve gone this (way), I really do, but it just shows if you’re a Kiwi going over there, you’re on a hiding to nothing because there is so much more at play.”
Jones has been contracted on a five-year deal, meaning he will see the Wallabies through both the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and the home tournament in 2027.