Australia coach makes sudden exit as Major League Rugby switch confirmed

Adam Kyriacou
Australia Sevens head coach John Manenti in huddle.

Australia Sevens head coach John Manenti in huddle.

Rugby Australia have confirmed that John Manenti has resigned from his role as Australia’s Rugby Sevens team to take up another coaching opportunity in the USA.

Manenti has been involved in the Sevens program for nine years, starting as an assistant coach in 2015 before taking over as both men’s and women’s head coach.

He has been part of three Olympic Games campaigns and most recently led the men’s outfit to a fourth-place finish in Paris, their best ever result in an Olympics.

Series champions in 2022

Perhaps most impressive was the men’s team’s World Rugby Sevens Series title win in 2021/2022 and he admitted it was a “wonderful” time on the Sevens scene.

“I’ve had nine wonderful years in the Sevens program with both men’s and women’s teams,” he said ahead of a move to Major League Rugby side San Diego Legion.

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

“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.

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“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.”

Meanwhile, Rugby Australia director of high performance, Peter Horne, hailed the departing Manenti and thanked him for his efforts that spanned almost a decade.

“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,” he 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.”

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Australia John Manenti