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Waratahs assistant Jason Gilmore is the leading candidate to join the Wallabies, after defence coach Matt Taylor left his post after two-and-a-half years.
It comes as two Super Rugby franchises chase former Australian-born British rugby league player and current London Irish assistant coach Brad Davis to fill the defence role. While Scott Fardy is also on the hunt for a job after leaving his Japanese club.
The Wallabies put out a statement on Friday afternoon explaining Taylor, who has been an assistant coach for 110 Tests for Australia and Scotland, had stepped aside for some “personal matters”.
But it’s understood that the Wallabies’ horror afternoon in San Juan, where the Wallabies shipped 48 points to Michael Cheika’s Argentinians, also played a significant role in Taylor’s departure.
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The announcement caught many former Wallabies by surprise, with many players from the 2011 Super Rugby-winning Queensland Reds side believing Taylor was integral to their success and one of the best coaches of the modern era.
The Wallabies have been coming under increasing pressure on the field over the past year, especially after failing to kick on from last year’s Rugby Championship where they finished the tournament with four straight wins after losing three straight against the All Blacks.
But after losing six of their past eight Tests, including the series against England 2-1, the Wallabies’ coaching structure has come under increasing heat.
The sight of the Wallabies falling off tackles, including the two tries they conceded in the final three minutes against Argentina, which occurred just four Tests after a similar late fade out against England in Perth, was a sight that may well have broken the camel’s back.
While Rugby Australia is circling the home World Cup in 2027 as the tournament to target, it’s believed the national high performance committee, which includes their two Wallaby board members Daniel Herbert and Phil Waugh, are ambitious and recognise the national team succeeding.
Sources have told foxsports.com.au that Taylor has reviewed poorly recently, too.
“Matt is a great man with a strong work ethic, who is well respected within the Wallabies environment and we will miss him,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.
Taylor, who had been linked with a move to the Reds and has ambitions of a head coaching role, left open the possibility of returning to coaching.
“While this was an extremely difficult decision, I know it’s the right one for me and my family at this point in time,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to spending more time with them and look forward to getting back into coaching when the time is right.”
The Wallabies have options on who to turn to fill the void.
Waratahs assistant and Australia A coach Gilmore is the leading candidate to replace Taylor, particularly after coming through the pathways from schoolboy rugby to the Junior Wallabies before finding a home in NSW.
Gilmore is well-liked and highly rated after his Junior Wallabies side made the under-20s World Cup final in 2019.
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Should he be promoted, the Waratahs could try to pounce on London Irish assistant Davis who has spent the best part of three decades playing and coaching in England.
Although it’s understood Davis edged out former Wallabies backrower Fardy for the vacant Reds role, who needed to fill the position after Michael Todd joined Glasgow Warriors.
But Taylor’s departure may well open the door south of the border.
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