Former Wallabies Andrew Slack and Justin Harrison as well as high performance specialist Darlene Harrison will undertake Rugby Australia’s external review of the Wallabies’ 2023 season including the dismal World Cup campaign.
Coach Eddie Jones fell on his sword this week less than a year into his five-year contract, with his resignation coming after only two wins from his nine Tests, culminating in the Wallabies missing the Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
RA are in the process of setting up a panel that will oversee the recruitment of the next coach.
Meanwhile, the review panel are expected to deliver their findings on the “strategy and structure” of the Wallabies’ performance before the end of the year.
Queenslander Slack was captain of the grand slam-winning Wallabies in 1984 and led Australia to victory at the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
He has been involved with the Reds and also served as a Wallabies selector and worked as a journalist.
Justin Harrison played 34 Tests, including the 2003 World Cup final when Jones was in his first stint as Wallabies boss, and is currently the CEO of the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA).
A former lock and coach, Harrison was on the ground in France during the World Cup as a commentator.
Darlene Harrison (no relation) brings more than 20 years of experience in elite sport and high-performance including a stint as the Head of Coaching at UK Sport.
Most recently she spent more than a decade at the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in a number of high-performance and executive roles.
RA CEO Phil Waugh believes that the three panel members will offer substantial relevant expertise and experience within the sport and the high-performance environment.
“As rugby fans, we were all disappointed in the results at the World Cup,” Waugh said in a statement.
“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.
“It is our responsibility as custodians to continually seek to improve performance and deliver a world-class program.
“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.”