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Ewen McKenzie has had a very successful coaching career. The Queensland Reds won their sole Super Rugby title with him at the helm and before Michael Cheika and the Waratahs won their first title this year.
He also brought NSW to their only Super Rugby final appearance, and he’s the longest serving Waratahs coach.
But despite his impressive resumé at provincial level, his impact on team performances is questionable.
It might seem harsh to some people, but McKenzie is the rugby equivalent of Ricky Stuart.
Stuart also had a successful coaching career in the NRL, taking his teams to three grand finals and winning a premiership in the process. But he has been labelled as a ‘myth’ of a coach, as many believe his 2002, 2003 and 2004 Roosters teams would’ve gone that far in the NRL regardless of who was holding the clipboard.
Do you see where I’m heading with this?
Yes, McKenzie has won a Super Rugby title. Yes, he’s made it to the big dance three times. But I’m fairly confident those teams would’ve made it to the final regardless of who was in charge.
Robbie Deans, who I still regard as one of the best coaches in rugby, was sacked after a disappointing Lions series and losing the support of his players. The Wallabies spot was open and there were two logical choices – Jake White or McKenzie.
It was a one-horse race. And it wasn’t decided on who was a better coach, and better for the Wallabies, it was decided on nationality. McKenzie’s Aussie, and after the failed experiment of having a Kiwi in charge of the Wallabies, the job was going back to an Australian.
I understand why the ARU did it, but they missed a great opportunity with White. His two seasons at the Brumbies were far more impressive than McKenzie’s years at the Tahs and the Reds. He brought a struggling football club to the brink of glory in just two years, developing future Wallabies in the process.
McKenzie inherited two underachieving teams and made them click. An excellent effort, but less impressive than developing raw players into Wallabies.
The Brumbies finished in 13th place in 2011, followed by players like Rocky Elsom, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau departing the team. Despite this huge losses, the Brumbies finished in seventh in 2012, and then were beaten finalists in 2013. They were also the only provincial team to beat the Lions on their tour in 2013.
White had more of a claim to the Wallabies job, but missed out because he wasn’t Australian. Simple as that. And since Deans’ departure, the Wallabies have hit a new low under the reign of McKenzie.
They are yet to beat the All Blacks and have well and truly dropped below the Springboks. I doubt we will make it out of the pool stages of the World Cup next year.
Was McKenzie the best choice for the Wallabies? No. Was he the only choice? Yes.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.