David Rennie is determined to be the head coach of the Wallabies despite the resignation of Raelene Castle as chief executive officer of Rugby Australia.
Castle appointed Rennie before ending her tenure. Reports have since surfaced suggesting Rennie might reconsider not taking the post in Castle’s absence.
“I’m really gutted at the decision to move Raelene on. As I have stated all along, she’s a big part of the reason I decided to sign with Australia. I was really impressed with her. She had a real clear plan of what the next few years would look like,” he told AAP.
“So I’m really disappointed. But she exited with real dignity and class and the first thing she said to me was she still wants me to go to Australia. I’m disappointed with the decision and clearly I wanted to have a chat with the board and get clarity about what the plan looks like now but I’m still very committed.
“I have been speaking to a lot of different people who we brought into the group and people who are also affected by the decision. We have been doing a lot of work and preparation for whenever the season comes around.”
Rennie previously worked with the Glasgow Warriors and belliece Leinster should be named PRO14 champions, after the season ended early due to the coronavirus pandemic. Leinster are the reigning champions and have won all 13 of their fixtures this season. They have 60-plus points in Conference A, 20 more than second-placed Ulster and 14 more than Conference B leaders Edinburgh.
“Clearly, in the time frames that we started with, we are not going to be playing rugby in June. So that complicates issues obviously for players and the coaching staff who may or may not be here beyond that point,” he added.
“There’s a lot of people dying and all over the world people have lost their jobs, the whole world is taking pay cuts. I guess the importance of getting back playing doesn’t really rank with the things I have mentioned.
“Whatever decision is made needs to have integrity involved because to try and push the finals back in August and play with whoever is here, I’m just not sure that will do it justice.”