‘Gutted’ Rennie sticking with Aust role

Kiwi coach Dave Rennie has confirmed the departure of Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle will not stop him becoming the Wallabies coach when he leaves the Glasgow Warriors at the end of June.

Rennie had suggested he might reconsider his decision were Castle to be ousted, but he says that while he is “really disappointed” at her departure, he still intends to take up the post.

“I’m really gutted at the decision to move Raelene on because she is a big part of the reason I signed with Australia,” said the former Chiefs Super Rugby coach. “I was really impressed by her. She had a real clean plan over what the next few years looked like, so I am really disappointed.

“I’ve been speaking to a lot of key people who have been affected by the decision,” he said.

“I’m disappointed with the decision but clearly I want a chat with the board to get clarity over what the plan looks like now. I’m still very committed and have been doing a lot

I’m really gutted at the decision to move Raelene on because she is a big part of the reason I signed with Australia.

Dave Rennie

of work in preparation for the new season.”

Asked whether that meant he was still taking the Wallabies job, Rennie said: “Yes, yes I am.”

Rennie, whose Glasgow Warriors side sit third in their Pro14 conference, also said that, largely because of player welfare concerns, he believes the Pro14 season should be declared over, and unbeaten Leinster declared champions.

“We are not going to be playing rugby in June and there are players and members of the coaching staff who won’t be there beyond that point,” he said. “Whatever decision is made there must be some integrity in the thinking because to try to push the finals back until August and playing them with whoever is left, I’m not sure that would do the league justice.

“We’ve seen other competitions just awarding the title to the team that is leading. You can’t argue against Leinster, who are unbeaten all year and miles in front of the competition. It is hard not to award them the competition, isn’t it?”

Player welfare was, he said, the most important consideration.

“All these decisions have got to be made around player welfare and what’s best for the state of the country,” he said.

“What we really want is some clarity from Pro14 as to what the future looks like. What’s their plan, because at the moment players are in limbo.

“The players are still training hard in the hope that maybe we’ll come back and play some footy. I just worry that they will try to finish this season and then go straight into next season, flogging the players and ending up with a 13-or-14-month season. From a player welfare point of view that wouldn’t be ideal.”