Coaching changes on the cards at Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia confirmed John Manenti has resigned from his role as Head Coach of the Australian Sevens team to take up another coaching opportunity overseas.

Manenti has been part of the Sevens program since 2015, starting as an assistant coach before moving into the top jobs for both the Men’s and Women’s teams, and was involved in three Olympic Games campaigns.

He most recently guided the Men’s team to a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics – their best-ever result at an Olympic Games in history.

Manenti’s side won the 2021-2022 World Rugby Sevens series under his guidance with a first-place finish in London, while the team took out the Hong Kong title the following year.

“I’ve had nine wonderful years in the Sevens program with both Men’s and Women’s teams,” Manenti said.

“What we’ve achieved together in the past three years has been incredible and I feel we’ve been part of the most successful era in Aussie Men’s Sevens.

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“We’ve won a World Series, gold medals in Hong Kong and London, finished on multiple podiums, achieved automatic Olympic qualification and enjoyed best-ever Olympic results.

“I’m extremely proud of the players and staff for our achievements. For me it’s time now to return to 15s and continue my growth as a coach, with the ambition to contribute to Super Rugby at some stage.

“The Sevens program is well set up to go on to bigger and better results and I look forward to following the progression.

“I’d like to thank Rugby Australia for the privilege of coaching the Men’s and Women’s national teams.”

Rugby Australia Director of High Performance Peter Horne thanked Manenti for his contribution to Australian Sevens.

“John has done a tremendous job with the Sevens teams, particularly when he took over the Men’s program, and we’d like to thank him for his efforts,” Horne said.

“The 2021-2022 World Series victory for the Men’s side was a major highlight for John and everyone at Rugby Australia, along with the team’s efforts at the recent Paris Olympics.

“We’d like to wish John and his family all the very best with his next endeavours.”