Wallabies players v Fiji RWC 2023 – Alamy.jpg Credit: Alamy
Australia assistant coach Pierre-Henry Broncan believes the Wallabies’ poor form in recent years can be linked to the departure of South African teams from Super Rugby, which he feels needs an overhaul.
Frenchman Broncan, who is the Wallabies’ maul consultant, previously worked as a head coach at Castres and guided them to last year’s Top 14 final, which they lost to Montpellierand has previously coached at Toulouse. Broncan also worked at Bath in England for two years as a scout and analyst.
Joined Wallabies backroom staff in 2023
He was added to Australia head coach Eddie Jones‘ backroom staff earlier this year but the Wallabies have found the going tough a they have won just one out of eight games under Jones’ guidance.
They are set to face Portugal in a Rugby World Cup Pool C encounter on Sunday but are on the brink of their first ever departure before the global showpiece’s quarter-finals after record defeats to Wales and Fiji.
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, South African teams were axed from Super Rugby the following year and they switched to northern hemisphere tournaments, which Broncan feels was to the detriment of Australian rugby.
He said he backed Australia to overcome a 10-point half-time deficit against Wales, but they were unable to handle the pressure and eventually suffered 40-6 loss – their worst in Rugby World Cup history.
“Super Rugby before Covid, with South African teams, the Japanese team and the Jaguares from Argentinawas a big competition,” said Broncan. “When you have Super Rugby with the South African teams, it was a very tough competition.
“Today, the South African teams play in the European Cup and it was a benefit for the northern hemisphere, that’s for sure.”
Broncan said there was little to play for in the current Super Rugby Pacific format, which is dominated annually by New Zealand teams.
“The big difference between Top 14 and European Cup and your Super Rugby competition in Australia with New Zealand is the pressure,” he added.
Story continues
Plenty of pressure in France
“In France, we have pressure in every game because there is a massive thing about relegation, or qualification is important for the European (Champions Cup).
“In Super Rugby there is no relegation, you play just to win Super Rugby against New Zealand and Australia teams.”
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The article Australia coach blames change in Super Rugby format for Wallabies’ woes appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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