Aussie coach rejects sacking rumours

Australia coach John Connolly has today moved quickly to dispel rumours that he will be sacked before the World Cup.

With John O'Neill returning to the helm as the chief executive of the ARU, Connolly will be under close scrutiny if the Wallabies fail to perform during the Tri-Nations series against South Africa and New Zealand.

When O'Neill was in charge of Australian football, he controversially sacked Frank Farina just four months before the World Cup to install Guus Hiddink as coach of the Socceroos, who went on to perform well in the competition.

But Connolly has dismissed any chance of a similar fate happening to him, stating that it was far too close to the Wallabies' opening match in France for something similar to occur.

"People will throw those things up but it's not going to happen before the World Cup as much as they might like it to at times," Connolly told The Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"That would just be crazy. It's not even something I've thought of.

"But that (speculation) is the life of the coach, I guess.

"I spoke to John O'Neill yesterday. We had a chat and we're going to catch up on Friday week in Sydney for coffee.

"He's totally committed to Australia.

"I wouldn't think that commitment is to anyone in particular, but he's totally committed to getting the team in the best possible shape for the World Cup."