Eddie Jones has been appointed as Australia’s head coach with immediate effect, with Dave Rennie sacked to make way for the former England boss.
Jones, 62, coached Australia between 2001 and 2005, guiding them to the 2003 World Cup final where they were beaten by England.
And now, having been sacked by the latter nation, Jones will finally get his long awaited second attempt to win a World Cup with the Wallabies after 17 years coaching elsewhere.
With a five year contract, Jones will also have the chance to take Australia to their home World Cup in 2027, and will face the British and Irish Lions in between the two tournaments in 2025.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said: “It is a major coup for Australian Rugby to have the best coach in the world return home to coach the iconic Wallabies.
“Eddie’s deep understanding of our rugby system and knowledge of our player group and pathways will lift the team to the next level.
“Eddie instinctively understands the Australian way of playing rugby – this represents an opportunity to secure a coach of immense expertise and experience at the biggest competitions, and we did not want to miss it.”
As part of his role Jones will also oversee the Australian Women’s rugby team, known as the Wallaroos, who were – like the men’s side – knocked out by England at their most recent Rugby World Cup.
Jones has set his sights on winning a first Rugby World Cup as coach, having twice lost in the final, and wants to end Australia’s long wait for a triumph after they won two of the first four tournaments held.
“It is going to be an immense period for Australian Rugby,” he said. “As a proud Australian, it is a great honour to be able to come home and lead the national team during these years.
“The Wallabies squad is a really talented group of players with good depth – if we can have everyone fit and healthy going into the World Cup this year, I am confident that we can go to France and break the 24-year drought of winning the Rugby World Cup.”
His now-predecessor Rennie had the lowest win percentage of any Australian coach (36.4% with no other coach having recorded less than 50%), with inconsistency blighting the former Glasgow Warriors coach’s tenure.
Other than one run of five straight victories in 2021, Rennie had never recorded back-to-back victories and only managed five wins out of 14 in 2022.
But with more than half their nine defeats last year coming by four points or less, and having finished with a famous victory at the Principality Stadium against Wales, few would have predicted he would have the same fate as the man whose side lost that game – sacked ex-Wales boss Wayne Pivac.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos paid tribute to Rennie, saying: “I would like to thank Dave for his hard work and effort with the Wallabies – we are grateful for all that he has done for Australian Rugby.
“Dave has been instrumental in developing much of the depth that we see in and around the current Wallabies squad; there are a number of players that are genuine World Cup possibilities because of opportunities that Dave has provided.
“The work ethic, the spirit within the group, and the way the team carries itself are all a direct result of Dave’s input – he has made a real mark on this group of players.”
Rennie’s departure perhaps the most surprising aspect of the news, although there also would have been few to foresee Jones returning to employment in less time than Liz Truss occupied 10 Downing Street last year.
Jones was widely expected to become either Australia or America head coach after next year’s World Cup, but it seems Australia have pulled the trigger to beat the USA to their proposed eight-year deal that would have taken Jones through to their home tournament in 2031.
Instead, Jones is now on track to take Australia to their home World Cup in 2027, just like the only other World Cup they hosted on their own in 2003.
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