Rugby legends Andrew Slack and Justin Harrison, along with high-performance expert Darlene Harrison, have been chosen to lead a three-member panel to evaluate Australia’s challenging 2023 rugby season and their World Cup letdown under former coach Eddie Jones. The Wallabies, a relatively inexperienced team, were eliminated from the World Cup group stage for the first time ever, drawing intense criticism directed at Jones and Rugby Australia.
During Jones’ tenure, which ended last weekend with his resignation, the Wallabies managed to win only two out of nine matches in 2023. The panel’s task is to scrutinize the “strategy and structure of the Wallabies’ performance environment.” Rugby Australia (RA) expects to receive their recommendations before the year’s end, as per a statement from RA.
RA CEO Phil Waugh expressed the disappointment felt by rugby fans, emphasizing that the World Cup performance fell short of Australia’s rugby legacy. Slack, a former Wallabies captain, led the team to the historic ‘Grand Slam’ victory in 1984, beating all four of the “home nations” — England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. He also captained Australia during the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
Harrison, a former Wallabies lock, played in 34 tests, including the World Cup final won by England in 2003. He now serves as the CEO of Australia’s players union. Additionally, a Pasifika advisor will join the panel and process, given the Pacific islands heritage of many Wallabies squad members. Waugh underscored the Wallabies’ place in Australian sports culture and the responsibility of all involved to consistently strive for better performance and maintain a world-class program. The review process is aimed at addressing the shortcomings of the Wallabies’ recent performance and helping them regain their status as a top rugby nation.
