Dan McKellar. <\/strong>Rugby Australia has entered stormy seas and may well look to the steady hand of an experienced and proven Australian coach at the wheel.<\/p>\n Dan McKellar has just started coaching at Leicester Tigers in England.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n McKellar is only six months into a three-year deal at English giants Leicester Tigers, but could be tempted home to take up the reins of the Wallabies.<\/p>\n He spent five years in charge of the Brumbies and two years as Dave Rennie\u2019s assistant at the Wallabies. He has a strong relationship with many of the Wallabies squad and may find this opportunity too good to turn down.<\/p>\n Stephen Larkham. <\/strong>Another obvious choice to take over from Jones. Larkham was a decorated player for the Wallabies and has in-depth knowledge of Australian rugby courtesy of two stints as Brumbies head coach from 2014 to 2017 and now.<\/p>\n He worked as the Wallabies attack coach before moving to Ireland to coach European heavyweights Munster from 2019 until 2022. Larkham\u2019s stint in Ireland was largely disappointing, although he did take the province to a United Rugby Championship runner-up spot in 2021.<\/p>\n Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham during his time with Munster in Ireland.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Larkham can be considered one of the great Wallabies as a player, but can he replicate this success as a coach?<\/p>\n Michael Cheika. <\/strong>Enjoyed a successful World Cup in France, almost leading Argentina to third place before being pipped by England. After a slow start in the tournament, Cheika galvanised the Pumas into a formidable outfit that defeated Wales in a thrilling quarter-final.<\/p>\n After the messy ending of Cheika\u2019s reign as Wallabies coach in 2019, some forget his brilliance in his first year in 2015, winning World Rugby coach of the year and leading Australia to a World Cup final.<\/p>\n Michael Cheika at Argentina training.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Cheika is credited in Ireland for turning Leinster into one of European rugby\u2019s giants and is one of the game\u2019s most innovative thinkers. This proud Australian could be the perfect short-term jump lead for a stuttering Wallabies\u2019 engine.<\/p>\n Andy Friend. <\/strong>Perhaps not a household name in Australian rugby, Friend has built up an excellent reputation in European club rugby with Irish club Connacht.<\/p>\n Formerly in charge of Australia\u2019s Sevens setup, Friend moved to the west of Ireland to take up the reins of Connacht in 2018.<\/p>\n Andy Friend during his time with Australia 7s.<\/span><\/p>\n Friend took charge of the smallest Irish club and achieved success with few resources, including European knock-out rugby for the first time. It would be a brave choice for the Wallabies, but not a bad one at all.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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The outside bet<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Wild Cards<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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