The Waratahs have emerged as a shock rival to the Wallabies in the race for the signature of respected New Zealand coach Dave Rennie.
The Herald understands NSW Rugby Union figures have reached out to gauge Rennie's availability to take over from departing coach Daryl Gibson, who resigned last month with a year left on his contract.
The audacious move pits NSW directly against Rugby Australia, who want the UK-based Kiwi to coach the Wallabies when Michael Cheika steps down, as expected, after the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Success story: Dave Rennie is with Glasgow after winning two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs. Credit:EPA
Rennie's current deal could decide the winner in that contest, if it hasn't already been decided, as Herald sources suggest. The former coach of the Chiefs, who helped lead them to their first two Super Rugby titles, only recently signed a one-year extension with the Glasgow Warriors.
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The deal means he will only be available in July next year, although Gibson's sudden exit from NSW is an indication of how flexible contracts can be.
Still, NSW may also be courting a coach with bigger fish to fry. Rennie spent six seasons coaching the Chiefs before his move to the Pro 14. He has accomplished a lot at that level, winning Super Rugby with the Chiefs in 2012 and 2013, and leading Glasgow to this year's Pro 14 final in his second season there.
Dream team? George Gregan, centre, with Wallabies coaches (l-r) Mick Byrne, Nathan Grey, Michael Cheika and Simon Raiwalui.Credit:Stu Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
Certainly, Rennie remains the outright favourite to replace Cheika, especially since long-serving Wales coach Warren Gatland announced his New Zealand homecoming with the Chiefs last week.
Gatland had been linked to the role, as well as Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, but Rennie has always been the best fit. He enjoys a close relationship with Australian rugby's new high performance overlord Scott Johnson and is broadly regarded as a coach that might get the best out of Australia's diverse but under-achieving playing stocks.
Meanwhile, George Gregan has joined the Wallabies as a consultant-mentor in the lead up to the World Cup.
The former Wallabies captain and 139-Test halfback will be working with Australia's halves, including No.9s Will Genia, Nic White, Jake Gordon and Joe Powell, and five-eighths Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper and Christian Leali'ifano.
Gregan has been enlisted to work with Australia's halfbacks and five-eighths. Credit:Stu Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
"Michael (Cheika) asked me … to help with the preparations going into the Rugby Championship and the coming year, specifically around the position I used to play," Gregan said.
"It's just basics, there's no rocket science, just making sure they're available. A halfback's got to haRead More – Source
The Waratahs have emerged as a shock rival to the Wallabies in the race for the signature of respected New Zealand coach Dave Rennie.
The Herald understands NSW Rugby Union figures have reached out to gauge Rennie's availability to take over from departing coach Daryl Gibson, who resigned last month with a year left on his contract.
The audacious move pits NSW directly against Rugby Australia, who want the UK-based Kiwi to coach the Wallabies when Michael Cheika steps down, as expected, after the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Success story: Dave Rennie is with Glasgow after winning two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs. Credit:EPA
Rennie's current deal could decide the winner in that contest, if it hasn't already been decided, as Herald sources suggest. The former coach of the Chiefs, who helped lead them to their first two Super Rugby titles, only recently signed a one-year extension with the Glasgow Warriors.
Advertisement
The deal means he will only be available in July next year, although Gibson's sudden exit from NSW is an indication of how flexible contracts can be.
Still, NSW may also be courting a coach with bigger fish to fry. Rennie spent six seasons coaching the Chiefs before his move to the Pro 14. He has accomplished a lot at that level, winning Super Rugby with the Chiefs in 2012 and 2013, and leading Glasgow to this year's Pro 14 final in his second season there.
Dream team? George Gregan, centre, with Wallabies coaches (l-r) Mick Byrne, Nathan Grey, Michael Cheika and Simon Raiwalui.Credit:Stu Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
Certainly, Rennie remains the outright favourite to replace Cheika, especially since long-serving Wales coach Warren Gatland announced his New Zealand homecoming with the Chiefs last week.
Gatland had been linked to the role, as well as Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, but Rennie has always been the best fit. He enjoys a close relationship with Australian rugby's new high performance overlord Scott Johnson and is broadly regarded as a coach that might get the best out of Australia's diverse but under-achieving playing stocks.
Meanwhile, George Gregan has joined the Wallabies as a consultant-mentor in the lead up to the World Cup.
The former Wallabies captain and 139-Test halfback will be working with Australia's halves, including No.9s Will Genia, Nic White, Jake Gordon and Joe Powell, and five-eighths Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper and Christian Leali'ifano.
Gregan has been enlisted to work with Australia's halfbacks and five-eighths. Credit:Stu Walmsley/RUGBY.com.au
"Michael (Cheika) asked me … to help with the preparations going into the Rugby Championship and the coming year, specifically around the position I used to play," Gregan said.
"It's just basics, there's no rocket science, just making sure they're available. A halfback's got to haRead More – Source
