Rugby Australia has locked in a three-member panel to conduct an external review into what went wrong for the Wallabies in 2023, including their humiliating exit from the World Cup in the group stage under Eddie Jones.
The Wallabies were supposed to enjoy a resurgence under Jones, who returned to the role in January on a five-year deal, but the coach didn’t last 12 months, with Australia winning just two of its nine Tests.
A winless Rugby Championship was followed by a disastrous World Cup campaign during which the Wallabies lost to Wales and Fiji, with Jones opting for a young side with a number of experienced heads left back in Australia.
The World Cup was quickly overshadowed by a bombshell report that Jones had interviewed for the Japanese head coach role, and while he has denied those claims, his time with the Wallabies will officially end on November 25.
He will, however, be invited to share his thoughts as part of the review.
“As rugby fans, we were all disappointed in the results at the World Cup – the performance was not good enough for a proud rugby nation like ours,” Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said.
“We had a new coach, new staff and a lot of new players – many of whom have only just started their careers and who will be the future stars of Australian rugby.
“The Wallabies have a proud history as one of Australia’s most-loved sporting teams, and it is our responsibility as custodians to continually seek to improve performance and deliver a world-class program.”
That starts with an external review into what went wrong this year, with former Wallabies skipper Andrew Slack, 34-Test veteran Justin Harrison and renowned industry expert Darlene Harrison forming the panel that will also include a Pasifika adviser to support the process.
Slack is a member of the Wallaby hall of fame, while Harrison is the chief executive of the rugby union players’ association.
Their intimate rugby knowledge will be supported by Harrison, who has more than 20 years of experience in elite sport roles, including spending more than a decade with the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport.
The panel will spend the next few weeks reviewing the strategy and structure of Australia’s performances this year, with the board hoping to receive their findings by the end of 2023.
“Andrew, Justin and Darlene are highly respected, and I believe they possess the credentials to be able to deliver a thorough and considered external review,” Waugh said.
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