Ewen McKenzie says he is ready to step up and coach the Wallabies and he doesn’t believe he’s placing any added pressure on incumbent Robbie Deans by saying so.
McKenzie announced on Tuesday that he will leave his post as Queensland Reds director of coaching at the end of the current Super Rugby season as he hopes to step up to a Test head coaching role.
He said the Wallabies job or an overseas national team post interested him.
But he was adamant he announced his decision now to give the Queensland Rugby Union clarity in their planning rather than to throw down the gauntlet to Deans.
Deans is contracted until the end of the year but that may change if Australia loses the three-Test series to the British and Irish Lions in June-July, having been in the role for almost five years.
“I don’t think it will put pressure on Robbie Deans at all,” McKenzie said in Brisbane.
“I don’t think this will change anything in his day to day (life).
“I have made the decision because it is about doing the right thing by the Reds.
“I could have waited until August and said ‘by the way I am leaving’.
“I spent a lot of time here trying to rebuild a team and reputation. It has been a four year assignment which I have enjoyed.”
McKenzie joined the second-last Reds in 2009 and guided the franchise to their first championship by 2011 as well as back-to-back Australian conference titles.
Richard Graham was appointed head coach for the Reds this year while McKenzie assumed the role of director of coaching.
McKenzie denied he had been approached by Ireland despite being touted in a newspaper report as a possible replacement for their coach Declan Kidney after they finished second last in the Six Nations.
“You guys love conspiracy theories,” McKenzie said of the Ireland speculation.
McKenzie was in line for the Wallabies job in 2005 after Eddie Jones was dumped but did not consider himself ready for Test duty.
“It is seven years later. If I wasn’t ready I wouldn’t say I would be – I am ready for the next level,” McKenzie said on Tuesday.
He said there was no “tipping point” that made him walk away from provincial rugby.
“This is about providing clarity,” he said.
“We are in the recruiting phase for 2014 and I think it was important to provide certainty to the staff and players as to what were my intentions.
“But I am still here running this Reds program this year and we are still hopeful of being successful – then we will see what happens.
“I have been a head coach at this level for nine years and as assistant for another three.
“From a coaching challenge point of view I would love to be able to coach at a higher level.
“But wanting it and getting an opportunity are two different things.
“If there are any opportunities I will have a look at it.”
mania
Guest
gotta give it to link. he's at least making sure their are structures in place at the reds before he leaves. this is someone who is a forward, bigger picture thinker
Red Kev
Guest
Ahhh the twin cry baby conspiracy theorists. McKenzie hasn't quit his job - he's still doing his job, he is simply going to have a new one next year. He prefers coaching to administration so doesn't want the "director of rugby" role or "high performance manager" role so he's looking for a coaching gig. Changing jobs is about timing and the six nations just finished and we're two years from the next RWC, now is when coaching changes happen. I know the two of you have trouble believing anything but sinister motives motivate McKenzie but the fact is he is doing what is right for him. All Australian rugby coaches want to coach the Wallabies some day, it is hardly a surprise, but there are far more options than that.
johnson
Guest
I have not seen anything from any aussie coach in the last two years to warrant a wallabies coaching job.
Hightackle
Guest
Who are his favs?
Hightackle
Guest
Im not so sure. Is McKenzie actually thought of that highly by people who are in the know? I know some Australians think hes the cats PJs but they think that the Reds wete successfull becuz of him, which imo is about as true as the Blair witch project. If Ewen was thought of as such a great coach would he need to pull this stunt? I also think if he was going to be Ausie coach, he would be Ausie coach now. Also how many ultimatums are gonna come and go before people stop making them? It seems every series is Deans last unless he wins. I guess you guys will get it right eventully.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
RK you're right I think White is wonderful, perfect, flawless, and couldn't take South Africa to regular number one in the world in four years with the excellent South African playing pool. But he can't put the same kind of pressure on the ARU and Mckenzie can.
Hightackle
Guest
Another difference is White didnt quit his job and announce that hes ready now. Another difference was White said in a few years. So one of the big differences is that White isnt pressuring anybody and McKenzie is. McKenzie isnt from QLD so you dont have to be blinded by Red on this one Kev.
handles
Guest
Re-invention of history there, old mate. Connolly got the chop after the RWC in 2007. His captain was an outside centre, not normally who you choose if you want to play 10 man rugby. We lost 12-10 to England after a diabolical performance by the forwards. The only try was scored by a winger. He had the job for less than two years. He favoured players like Ashley Cooper and Giteau, and gave Berrick Barnes his shot at the 2007 RWC.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
JB - I'm confused?? How can you compare Connolly who was a stop-gap coach for 18-months after Jones was sacked to Dingo's 6-year reign? How much of an opportunity did he have to re-shape a team or its culture with less than 2 seasons leading up to a WC??? I agree Deans was competent for the first 2-3 years of his term but he completely lost the plot in World cup year with his tactics and squad selections. By then he had a list of 'favourites' who were and are ordinary players who he stubbornly selects time and time again. I think you can thank Ewan MacKenzie's Reds in 2011 and the AB's and SAF's management in the Tri-Nations for resting their key players rather than Dingo's 'brilliant coaching' !! I wish the Wallabies well against the Lions but am realistic of our chances especially with Dingo at the helm. I think we have a better chance of winning the urn back in England with our cricketers than our rugby team with Deans calling the shots
Cantab
Guest
I'm a fan of Deans and I think he has done a better job than he is credited with. However his time as wallabies coach should come to an end shortly after the lions tour, as 5/6 years is enough. Time for a new coach with fresh Ideas, the people want link, I think the ARU should give the people what they want. (For once) As for extra pressure? No, Deans already new link wanted the job, now there is a good chance a foreign team with a big chq book will snap him up first.
jutsie
Guest
I don't think kpm is a fan of white either from his posts on Sunday.
Red Kev
Guest
White is pressuring the ARU just as much with his "unfinished business" statements, the only difference is you like White.
kingplaymaker
Guest
None. Zero. None at all. I didn't know governing organisations were supposed to be bullied by ambitious coaches into giving them jobs?
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
White made a move a few days ago, I guess McKenzie had no choice but to make his intentions clear now in order not to miss the train. He has to give himself a fair chance to get the job should RD fail during the Lions tour. I also think that he and white would like the ARU to make their mind prior to the tour, that's why they are raising their hands now. A series win could save Deans as* and am pretty sure these two would like some sort of strong sign from the ARU right now. The pressure isn't on Deans, it's on the deciders, i.e. the ARU.
JB
Guest
(There seem to be a lot of haters out there at the moment, in all walks of life. WTF Australia.) This kind of comment conveniently forgets how woeful the Wallabies were under Connolly's ten-man-rugby regime. The absence of quality forwards being blooded during Connolly's reign was felt at its highest level by Deans two years ago. An example of this is how he turned to Samo, who was in form and streets ahead of the blokes 5 to 10 years his junior. Deans has had many low points, but the high points of the tri nations, win in RSA and THAT backline in the second half against France is something that many rugby followers will cherish for a long time. Personally I hope this Lions tour is a great success for all involved as a result of the quality of rugby played by both sides.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Wrong, Dingo Deans is about to be sacked so hard he breaks his femur as he hits the ground ! I agree with Campese - Deans is the worst thing to ever happen to the Wallabies
Matthew Skellett
Guest
my guess is Kidney is going to be handed his hat in preference to Mr McKenzie :-)
Campbell Watts
Guest
2011...... how looong ago! This only confirms in my mind that the reds are on the downward slide already. Graham is going to get the reds back on top? I don't think so - big step backwards I'm afraid