Wallabies unveil McKenzie as coach after Deans quits
Source: Agencies |
July 10, 2013, Wednesday
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EWEN McKenzie never disguised his desire to be Wallabies head coach. He wore the gold jersey in 51 tests, won the 1991 World Cup, and minutes after he was officially appointed to the Australian job, the ex-front-rower was already laying down the law.
Three days after the Wallabies' embarrassing 16-41 loss to the British and Irish Lions, the Australian Rugby Union yesterday ended months of speculation by confirming McKenzie as the replacement for Robbie Deans, who quit six months before his contract was due to expire.
McKenzie has a coaching pedigree that includes stints as an assistant Wallabies coach from 2000-2003 and head coach of two clubs, both of which he led to the Super Rugby final. Under his leadership, the Queensland Reds made an impressive turnaround to win the 2011 championship only two seasons after languishing at the bottom of the standings.
His first test in charge of Australia will be against world champion New Zealand in Sydney on August 17.
"There's no better job, no better task, no better assignment than to go and pit yourself against the All Blacks," he said. "I can't wait for the challenge."
Most of all, to the cynics who never believed a New Zealander and ex-All Black like Deans was the best fit as coach of Australia, McKenzie is a homegrown talent and knows what it takes to make and maintain a spot in the national team.
"Getting clarity on what's expected at the Wallaby level is critical," McKenzie said at his first news conference as Wallabies coach. "I'll make it quite clear what I want from a Wallaby.
"It's like a week-to-week contract and if you're not doing the right thing at the right time, that week-to-week contract might not be there."
Deans faced his share of criticism in his five years in charge, which only grew louder after shocking home defeats to Samoa and Scotland and a World Cup group stage loss to Ireland. Deans became the first foreigner appointed as head coach of the Wallabies in 2008. His departure comes only weeks after South Africa's Mickey Arthur, the first foreigner appointed as Cricket Australia's head coach, was fired in the buildup to the Ashes series in England.
Three days after the Wallabies' embarrassing 16-41 loss to the British and Irish Lions, the Australian Rugby Union yesterday ended months of speculation by confirming McKenzie as the replacement for Robbie Deans, who quit six months before his contract was due to expire.
McKenzie has a coaching pedigree that includes stints as an assistant Wallabies coach from 2000-2003 and head coach of two clubs, both of which he led to the Super Rugby final. Under his leadership, the Queensland Reds made an impressive turnaround to win the 2011 championship only two seasons after languishing at the bottom of the standings.
His first test in charge of Australia will be against world champion New Zealand in Sydney on August 17.
"There's no better job, no better task, no better assignment than to go and pit yourself against the All Blacks," he said. "I can't wait for the challenge."
Most of all, to the cynics who never believed a New Zealander and ex-All Black like Deans was the best fit as coach of Australia, McKenzie is a homegrown talent and knows what it takes to make and maintain a spot in the national team.
"Getting clarity on what's expected at the Wallaby level is critical," McKenzie said at his first news conference as Wallabies coach. "I'll make it quite clear what I want from a Wallaby.
"It's like a week-to-week contract and if you're not doing the right thing at the right time, that week-to-week contract might not be there."
Deans faced his share of criticism in his five years in charge, which only grew louder after shocking home defeats to Samoa and Scotland and a World Cup group stage loss to Ireland. Deans became the first foreigner appointed as head coach of the Wallabies in 2008. His departure comes only weeks after South Africa's Mickey Arthur, the first foreigner appointed as Cricket Australia's head coach, was fired in the buildup to the Ashes series in England.
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