Nic White targets Ireland win to ease pressure on Australia coach Dave Rennie

Australia's players head into Saturday’s Test against Ireland with the future of their head coach weighing on their minds.

Dave Rennie finds himself under mounting pressure after a disastrous six months where the Wallabies have lost eight out 12 Tests, including a record reverse against Argentina and last weekend's first-ever defeat to Italy.

Since taking charge of the Wallabies in 2020, Rennie has a win rate of 37%, and their shock loss in Florence saw them drop to ninth in the world rankings.

The New Zealander’s contract expires after next year’s Rugby World Cup but his future is the subject of increased speculation back in Australia ahead of next month’s end-of-season review.

"We don’t have our heads buried in the sand, I understand the pressure that’s come on," said Australia scrum-half Nic White.

"It’s disappointing as a playing group, letting him down, and that he’s got this sort of pressure because we absolutely love being coached by Dave. He is a phenomenal coach, I’ve said it a number of times now that our coaching staff is world class and that we as a playing group aren’t there yet.

"A lot of the pressure that’s coming his and the coaching staff’s way is a whole lot to do with what we put out on the field and a lot of moments we could have controlled as players.

"We need to step it up as a group and this week is a chance to show how much we care for Dave and the coaching staff. We are speaking about putting out a performance for him and the staff."

One area that requires drastic improvement is Australia's discipline. They have conceded 42 penalties in their first three autumn Tests, including 16 against Italy, and collected 12 yellow cards in 2022, the most of any tier-one nation.

Ireland were penalised 10 times in both