John Manenti to depart Sevens program after taking up overseas offer

Tue, Aug 27, 2024, 12:14 PM
Nathan Williamson

Australia Men’s Sevens coach John Manenti will depart the program as he takes up a coaching opportunity overseas with MLR club San Diego Legion.

Manenti has been involved in the Sevens program since 2015 as an assistant coach before splitting time between the women’s and men’s sides.

He took the women to the Tokyo Olympics before his return to the men’s, issuing in a golden period for the squad.

This included claiming a breakthrough 2021-22 World Rugby Sevens Series title, the first by an Australian team in the men's competition.

Manenti followed this up by guiding the team to the Hong Kong title the following year before finishing his time with a team-best fourth at the 2024 Olympics.

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

“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.

“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 Head of High Performance Peter Horne led the tributes as Manenti looks set to pick up a coaching role in the USA.

“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.”