Rugby Australia has announced the details of the external review to be conducted into the Wallabies’ 2023 season, including the Rugby World Cup.
The review will be undertaken by a three-member panel incorporating former internationals Andrew Slack and Justin Harrison, as well as renowned industry expert Darlene Harrison. A Pasifika advisor will also support the panel and process.
The panel will review the strategy and structure of the Wallabies’ performance environment in 2023 and aims to deliver its recommendations to the Rugby Australia board before the end of the year.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh believes that the three panel members bring substantial relevant expertise and experience within Rugby and the high-performance environment.
“As Rugby fans, we were all disappointed in the results at the World Cup – the performance was not good enough for a proud Rugby nation like ours,” said Waugh.
“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.
“The Wallabies have a proud history as one of Australia’s most loved sporting teams, and 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.”
Queenslander Andrew Slack represented Australia 39 times at centre and was the captain of the ‘Grand Slam’ winning Wallabies in 1984, the 1986 Bledisloe Cup victory on Kiwi soil, and led Australia at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup at home.
Slack was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to Rugby and was inducted into the Wallaby Hall of Fame in 2010.
He has served in coaching roles for the Queensland Reds and as a Wallabies selector, and has been a sports journalist for more than 30 years.
Wallaby Number 770, Justin Harrison played 34 Tests for Australia, making his debut in the third and deciding Test of the 2001 British and Irish Lions Tour where he claimed a crucial line-out turnover to all but seal a famous victory.
Harrison was a starting lock in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final in Sydney and won a Super Rugby title with the Brumbies in 2001.
He is currently the CEO of the Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) as well as a commentator with Stan Sport, and was previously the CEO of the Classic Wallabies.
Darlene Harrison brings more than 20 years of experience in elite sport and high-performance people positions, dating back to her role as the Head of Coaching at UK Sport.
Harrison 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, most recently as the Head of Performance Coaching and Leadership, and as Deputy Director – Performance People and Teams at the AIS.
She is currently a high-performance and coaching consultant, working across high performance sport, government and education sectors.
