Phil Waugh.Credit:Oscar Colman
It is expected that Rugby Australia will interview up to five candidates imminently and will be hopeful of appointing the coach to coincide with the start of the Super Rugby season in late February and before the Wallabies’ first Test against Wales on July 6 in Sydney.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said that the Wallabies’ upcoming schedule,including the prospect of hosting the Lions,has helped attract a high standard of potential replacements for Eddie Jones.
“We’re genuinely excited by the schedule that we have ahead of us with the grand slam tour later this year,the Lions next year and obviously the home World Cup in 2027,” Waugh said.
“I think for all capable and well-credentialed international coaches they’ll look at that runway and it’s very attractive,we’ve been pleasantly surprised and certainly appreciate the quality[of coaches] that are interested.
New Lions coach Andy Farrell is adamant the Wallabies will ‘get it right’ for an opportunity that only comes around once every 12 years.Credit:Getty
“We just need to work through now what’s the right fit for the Wallabies over the next period of time.
“As I’ve always said,it’s about the right person to drive the right Australian culture within the environment,but also the right person that’s also going to attract the best possible assistant coaches so that it’s not just about the coach,it’s about having the best coaching team in the world.”