Chris Latham, the celebrated Australian fullback, has openly expressed his desire to coach the Wallabies, following a historic undefeated season with the Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby. Latham, who has not applied for the recently vacated Wallabies head coach position, remains focused on his current commitments but harbors strong ambitions for his coaching future. "I’d like to do it in future," Latham shared, hinting at his readiness to take on greater challenges ahead.
Latham's coaching prowess was on full display as he led the Chicago Hounds to a remarkable 12-0 record, clinching the MLR Championship and marking the team's first unbeaten season. His leadership not only brought glory but also instilled a robust team culture, drawing inspiration from the city's historical resilience. "We had a saying this year – play the Chicago way," Latham recounted, emphasizing the ethos of toughness and boldness that he ingrained in his team.
"It’s very, very disappointing,"
The Australian legend did not mince words when discussing the recent decision to exclude Australia from what has been billed as 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry', a series between New Zealand and South Africa. Latham stressed the historical and competitive importance of the Australia-New Zealand rivalry in strengthening both teams. "New Zealand’s at its strongest when Australia’s at its strongest and vice versa," he lamented, highlighting the mutual benefits derived from their storied contests.
As the rugby landscape evolves, Latham also voiced concerns over the Australian teams' performances, particularly noting the absence of an Australian victory in Super Rugby play-offs on New Zealand soil. This, coupled with Australia's slide to eighth in the World Rankings, paints a sobering picture a year out from the World Cup. Latham's commentary underscores the pressing need for high-caliber competition to prepare players for the world stage. "You want your best players playing their best rugby. And to do that you’ve got to be playing top quality rugby," he asserted.
While Latham's immediate future is with Chicago until the end of the 2027 season, his aspirations extend beyond the American league. Reflecting on his time with Worcester, he expressed a keen interest in coaching in the English Premiership, suggesting a broader vision for his coaching career. As the rugby world watches, it waits to see how Latham will translate his playing legend into coaching success, potentially on an international scale.