Irish coach Ronan O’Gara finds himself in the midst of a “crisis” in France at the same time he’s being linked to the Wallabies head coach job.
The former Ireland No.10 has rejected links to the Australia job which will be vacant after this year’s Rugby Championship when Joe Schmidt steps aside.
While Super Rugby coach Les Kiss is the favourite for the role, O’Gara stoked flames when he told the Sydney Morning Herald he was interested earlier this month.
Ronan O’Gara, the La Rochelle, head coach celebrates after their victory during the Heineken Cup Champions Cup Final between Leinster and La Rochelle at the Aviva Stadium on May 20, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Last week, Wallaby Will Skelton, who plays under O’Gara at La Rochelle in the France Top 14 competition, backed O’Gara as a potential coach of the national team.
“I think he’d do a great job. He’s a great coach and his experience coaching in Top 14 has been class,” Skelton told the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast.
But O’Gara has more pressing concerns, and his team, with Skelton back after a long-term injury, fell to a fifth-straight defeat this weekend against Racing 92.
In a post-match interview, he rejected the Australia “rumours”, in response to suggestions they might be affecting his players.
“It’s a crisis, we have to accept it. We had an unacceptable first half for a Top 14 team,” O’Gara said.
“It is my club, I’d like to fight for it, do what’s necessary. Rumours about Australia aren’t true. But, you have to ask yourself: are the players fighting for me, for the staff? Obviously today, [the answer is] no.
“There is no proof I can get the team out of this crisis, but I will fight.”
O’Gara cast doubt over his future at La Rochelle.
“Maybe the message is not getting through. It’s a real option if the message is not getting through that it might be better without me. I haven’t lost confidence in myself, that’s for sure, but you need to ask the question,” O’Gara said.
“Can you imagine [what] the fans who watched that think? It’s not my rugby, it’s not my state of mind, it’s not my attitude, but the players represent me. Right now, there’s a disconnect.”
O’Gara is contracted to La Rochelle until 2027. He has previously stated an ambition to go into international coaching with Wales and Australia actively seeking coaches. He has ruled out a move to Cardiff and now played down the Wallabies links.
The Roarhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/24/its-a-real-option-ogara-admits-he-could-be-on-the-way-out-of-french-club-responds-to-wallabies-rumours/‘It’s a real option’: O’Gara admits he could be on the way out of French club, responds to Wallabies rumours
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