The NSW Rugby Union is set to release Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie after this season.
You called for it. Do you agree this was the right decision?
The decision is not unexpected with rumours circulating that McKenzie’s position was under fire for most of the season. Blues coach David Nucifora has also been linked to the role.
While the Waratahs are still in semi-finals contention after four wins from six games, they have not impressed.
With crowd numbers well down, NSWRU had been seeking a more expansive style of play which McKenzie has struggled to deliver.
Despite being the biggest union in Australia, NSW have been underachievers at the Super 12/14 level, failing to win a title since the inception in 1996.
According to the NSWRU. McKenzie and NSWRU Chief Executive Officer Jim L’Estrange reached an amicable agreement yesterday about the Head Coaching role.
“Ewen’s situation does not change for the rest of the Super 14 season, we still have a competition to win and we are right in the mix,” said L’Estrange.
“We are absolutely committed to Ewen finishing the job this season.
“Put simply Ewen has had five great years with the Waratahs and this decision allows both Ewen and NSW Rugby to move forward from a strong foundation.”
NSWRU Chairman Arvid Petersen underscored the legacy that McKenzie will leave behind since taking over the Waratahs after the 2003 Rugby World Cup when he was Assistant Coach of the Wallabies.
“Ewen’s impact on the Waratahs and the game in NSW has been dramatic,” added Petersen.
“There was a strong cultural shift under his leadership. One that that ended a long standing losing streak to the Reds in Super Rugby, broke new ground by beating the Brumbies in Canberra and saw the Waratahs reach the Final in 2005 and semifinals the following year.
“Off the field Ewen has been instrumental in getting back to the clubs, designing the IBM Centre (NSWRU new headquarters), adding structure to the professional game and promoting the team through the media and corporate business.
“He has served NSW well over a long period in coaching terms and we wish him well in the next phase of his career.”
McKenzie was typically pragmatic following the agreement not to renew his contract past this season.
“Jim and I have been talking for some time about the future and we had a really good meeting yesterday and I’m satisfied that we can both now move ahead,” said McKenzie.
“We told the team before training yesterday, then went right on with the job preparing for Auckland.
“In an ideal world you’d like to go on and on but this is professional sport and I’ve been in the job longer than anyone else so I’ve had a good innings.
“The good thing about this announcement today is that it puts to bed the innuendo in the press that has unfairly distracted the team for weeks.
“Now we can concentrate on playing Rugby.”
McKenzie’s most satisfying moments involve development and the creation of Wallabies.
“I was only looking at a photo of the 2004 development tour squad the other day and it amazed me to see how many of those players went on to play Super Rugby and Test football,” McKenzie reflected.
“The likes of Al Kanaar, Wycliff Palu, Cameron Shepherd, Benn Robinson and Lachlan MacKay have gone on to become Wallabies – that’s very satisfying.
“I’m also proud to see the likes of Rocky Elsom, Stephen Hoiles, Sam Norton-Knight, Brett Sheehan, Leroy Houston and Tatafu Polota-Nau all pull on the gold jersey during my time here.”
McKenzie, who lost just two Super Rugby matches against the other Australian sides during his reign, said he is now free to pursue other opportunities but not before completing his 2008 mission.
“We’re giving this comp a real crack and I don’t mind being underdogs,” McKenzie said.
“I want to move on from this announcement and get stuck into the Blues this weekend. This is a big game for the Tahs but it’s just as big for the Blues so you’ll be missing something special if you’re not at the SFS on Saturday.”
NSWRU CEO Jim L’Estrange said the search for a coach in 2009 has begun with a result expected at the end of April.
“Today is all about Ewen and his legacy so I don’t want to go into detail about the recruitment of a new coach other than to say the process is underway,” added L’Estrange.
“I am engaging several Rugby experts, former Wallabies and coaches in the process before making a recommendation to the Board of NSW Rugby before the end of the month.
“As Ewen’s contract is up this year, numerous applicants have been proactive in lodging expressions of interest and we will be making our way through them in the coming weeks.
“Due to the uneven global season many of these coaching decisions cannot wait until the end of competitions.”
© AAP 2012Ewen McKenzie – Coaching Career
HSBC Waratahs Head Coach 2004-2008
· Super 12 Final 2005
· Super 14 Semifinal 2006
· Overall Record – 72 Matches*: Won 41*, Lost 30, Drawn 1
· Super Rugby – 57 Matches*: Won 31*, Lost 25, Drawn 1
· Super Rugby v Australian Teams – 11 Matches: Won 8, Lost 2, Drawn 1
* NSW RecordAustralia A Head Coach 2005
Wallabies Assistant Coach 2000-2003
· 2000 Bledisloe Cup & Tri Nations
· 2001 Bledisloe Cup, Tri Nations & Lions Series
· 2003 Rugby World Cup FinalACT Brumbies Assistant Coach 1999-2000
· Super 12 Final 2000Coaching Career Highlights
· Super 12 Semi Finals 2005, 2006
· Super 12 Final 2006
· Reintroduction of Development Tours to South America (2004), Eastern Europe (2005), United Kingdom and Ireland (2006)
· Concept and design of new NSWRU Headquarters, the IBM Centre, including the HSBC Waratahs High Performance Centre
· Most matches as HSBC Waratahs Head Coach (overall and Super Rugby)
· Most wins as HSBC Waratahs Head Coach (overall and Super Rugby)Playing Career Highlights
· Rugby World Cup winner 1991
· 51 Wallaby Caps (equal highest for an Australian prop)
· 37 NSW Caps (1987-1995)
· 31 ACT Caps (1996-1997)
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joe blow said | April 1st 2008 @ 8:57am | Report comment
He can certainly hold his head high with pride that in 5 years as head coach his Tahs made the semis twice and the final once. Quite impressive. That confirms his talent as a coach. It’s just unfortunate that through circumstances beyond his control last year the team finished poorly, yet with seven games to go this season fingers crossed he manages to get us through to the semis if not even to the final. Best of luck; EM’s a good man.
bob said | April 1st 2008 @ 9:11am | Report comment
So not only is Australia letting O’Neill and his cronies lead them in embracing the game damaging ELV’s, but now Aussies are letting the fads and fasions of fairweather supporters dectate their coaches… this guy is not only a god coach, but has been a great servant of teh union game for Australia, and deserves a lot better… if he’s smart, he’ll come north… we appreciate union men up here.
Terry Kidd said | April 1st 2008 @ 9:26am | Report comment
G’day Bob, I don’t think you are seeing the whole picture. As I see it the main problem with Ewen’s coaching is that he has got stuck in the wrong time frame. By that I mean that his team are still playing like it is 2004 or 2005, not 2008. The game has evolved and changed subtlley over those years and Ewen has been slow to recognise this and change the team’s playing style and game plans. He also seems to have a mindset about matching teams and negating their game plan rather than seeking to dominate teams and have them react to this team’s game plan …. in other words playing not to lose rather than playing to win.
Ewen himself further illustrated this trait yesterday when he spoke about the upcoming game against the Blues. He spoke about how to put pressure on them to restrict their game plan, rather than how to put pressure on the Blues by what the Waratahs were going to do to win the game.
Yes, Ewen has been, and still can be, a good servant to Oz rugby. Yes, he is a good coach but he is not a great coach and his time has come. He is not producing results and therefore the axe has fallen.
Bob, you say he deserves better. What exactly does he deserve? His contract is up at end of season, it won’t be renewed. He is not being sacked mid-season. Again, exactly what does he deserve?
Trevor said | April 1st 2008 @ 9:28am | Report comment
Why should Todd Louden be the favourite and be pushed for the top job in NSW now?
Martyn Riddle said | April 1st 2008 @ 9:38am | Report comment
One thing is confusing me. Most reports at the moment are saying that the Waratahs woes (dull, uninspiring, unimaginative football) are due to a mis-firing back line. Now, who is the attack coach? And who is rumoured to be in line to get the top job? If young Todd cant get the attack fired up, how will he go running the whole team? Or is he currently trying to instil one style of play but his wishes are being overuled by Ewen or ignored by the players?
I watched the GP game featuring Leicester v Wasps last night. It made me realise what a bore the Super 14 games had been this year and how predictable the style of play has become.
stillmissit said | April 1st 2008 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Joe Blow and Bob
What game have you been watching? I have no hair left after the last 2 seasons, Todd Louden when he joined this year said the backs passing left and right was very poor and they don’t seem to be improving this season. This is a head coaches responsibility.
The forwards have competed well but dominated nobody and still dont commit to the breakdown. The tactics are the biggest concern with a default of kicking for position and poor chasing. They have no confidence to counter attack and will kick any ball kicked at them back down the field again. This is the head coach.
Some of you may argue that they are still in with a chance of making the semi’s. Tthe Waratahs need to be dominant and highly competitive for his bosses to think we had a chance of winning and most people would say that we have no chance of winning this tournament this year.
Anyway we all know what is wrong and he has to go. He is a good bloke who has done my local rugby club many favours by coming out to help at training and sending out specialists as well. The bottom line is you dont get to keep your job if you or the team you selected and run is not performing and this is true of any walk of life.
Would love to see Nucifora take over.
Number3 said | April 1st 2008 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Let’s face, McKenzie like most head coaches allows his support staff to coach/control there area. The lack of skill, attacking rugby etc is Louden’s responsibility. Yet Louden gets off scott free in the analysis. I bet he is as good a political animal as McKenzie, if he gets the job.
For my mind the new coaching team should be Nucifora, for obvious reasons and the last successful attack coach Brian Melrose. Brian’s record with NSW is exemplary, did a great job with the Rams (ARC) and is the current Aust u20′s coach
I would also be having a look at Tunyman’s use by date as well. I not convinced that with the cattle NSW have had that we have been as dominant a pack as possible
LeftArmSpinner said | April 1st 2008 @ 11:01am | Report comment
Bob, What planet are you from? The ELV’s are an IRB idea. Try them before drawing your conclusions and diving for conspiracy theories.
As regards Link McKenzie, he is clearly a good and decent bloke, but I’m with Stillmissit. The playing strategy is down to the head coach. For too many seasons, this has been flawed on so many levels.
I have watched the same players (Beale, Turner, N-K, Burgess, Sheehan, Jacobs et al) excel in playing competitive, aggressive, exciting running rugby in club and ARC rugby.
Further, look at the work rate of the players, in particular the props and Waugh. Vickerman is the standout exception. They just dont do enough on the field. This too, is a head coach job. Lift workrate or be replaced. Look how Croft came back from a week on the bench!
As in corporate life, Louden should be allowed to take the head coach reins for the rest of the season to see what he has got, while “HR” finds the best replacement, probably Nucifora, Gafney, Cheika or even Howard. I’m not close enough to know. BUT, look closely at their history, hear the details of their playing strategy and then hold them to it when temptation (in the form of a few losses) to change it comes.
Bob, keep up the “head in the sand” mentality and look into your own back yard: England have been talking about but never actually managed to run the ball in decades!!!
stillmissit said | April 1st 2008 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Number3 – good post and maybe Brian Melrose may get a look in although I would guess that O’Neil has him in mind for the new francise in Western Sydney.
LeftArmSpinner – I didnt think about letting Link go immediately but agree with your idea. Louden gets his go and could be a ‘find’ if he can turn it around in the remaining half of the comp.
Another major facet that hasnt been discussed is that Petersen didnt have a choice. After the money they lost last year they couldnt afford another so so season. If NSW went bankrupt for the second time in a decade it could sink NSW for several years. O’Neil hasnt got a war chest to step in and save NSW again the timings all wrong.
This is a decision that is obvious for many reasons.
joe blow said | April 1st 2008 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Stillmissit,
“I have no hair left after the last 2 seasons,”
It amazes me how Spiro and Greg Growden hang on to theirs…
“Would love to see Nucifora take over.”
Well considering what’s been announced this morning I’d now like to see Ewen get the high performance gig with the ARU, and Nuci come in and take the Tahs’ reins for ’09.