Loss of Wallabies deputy a big blow

THE Wallabies’ maligned coaching set-up has been thrown into further disarray after assistant coach Scott Wisemantel resigned from his role with Dave Rennie’s team.

Rennie, who is contracted until after this year’s World Cup in France, had been under enormous pressure to keep his job after the Wallabies’ woeful record last year.

He will remain at his post but has lost a key ally in Wisemantel, who has made the decision to focus on his family – wife Gabriel and their three daughters – and business interests outside rugby.

An assistant coach at the past four rugby World Cups with Australia, Samoa, Japan and England, Wisemantel’s return to the Wallabies’ set-up was trumpeted as a triumph for the sport.

But his loss just six months before the World Cup is another blow to rugby.

The loss of Wisemantel mirrors the build-up to the last World Cup in Japan when then-coach Michael Cheika axed his assistant Stephen Larkham eight months out from the event.

A Rugby Australia statement said the search for a new assistant would be undertaken, with the national team looking for a “replacement to fit into the Wallabies coaching structure”.

Rennie said he had done all he could to try to keep his right-hand man.

“Scott’s a top man and one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with,” Rennie said.

“He’s hugely respected around the world, has a mountain of experience at international level and an incredible rapport with our players.”

“While we did all we could to try and keep Scott, we respect his decision and wish him, Gabs and the girls all the best.”

Wisemantel said while leaving had been a difficult decision, it was one that was best for his family.