A defiant Ewen McKenzie has called on any disgruntled Wallabies to man up and spill their concerns face to face.
As wild rumours fly left, right and centre that his days as Australian Test coach are numbered, McKenzie declared his hunger for the job remained strong.
He also brushed away any desire to be loved by his players, but did stress he wanted respect.
“It hasn’t been easy, but that’s life,” he said of the constant speculation. “My job is to get a group of people to play with purpose and get an outcome on the weekend.
“Is it about a popularity contest? It can’t be. Because the only people who will like you will be 15 in the starting team.
“I don’t care. I actually want them to respect me. They will respect me for being consistent and honest and actually dealing with them face to face.”
With his success rate down to 52 per cent after tour losses to South Africa and Argentina, and still looking for his first victory over the All Blacks when they meet at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, McKenzie admitted his future would be driven by results.
He’s gained an assurance from Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver he’ll lead the Wallabies on next month’s five-week tour of Europe.
It appears McKenzie’s hopes of taking Australia to the 2015 World Cup will hinge on performances against England, France, Ireland, Wales and a strong Barbarians outfit boosted by a bevy of former All Blacks.
The former title-winning Queensland mentor led the Wallabies to a 4-1 record on last year’s tour when he took a hardline stance on team culture.
McKenzie has been subjected to rumblings since for instilling former Reds business manager Di Patston in the same role.
He defended his decisions at Tuesday’s team naming, satisfied they were in the best interests of the team, and said if players were unhappy about Patston’s role, they should have raised it with him.
“People don’t need to ask questions through the media – they can ask me questions,” he said.
“I don’t think I’m that intimidating that (there’s) not an opportunity for players (to speak up).”
McKenzie denied the constant speculation about his position was hardly his focus as he made two starting changes for the dead-rubber Bledisloe clash, plus recalling a fit-again Quade Cooper on the bench.
Both Cooper and Christian Leali’ifano, to start at inside centre while Rob Simmons (head knock) returns in the second-row, said the coach had the team’s support.
Looking to score their first win over the All Blacks in three years, McKenzie called for character from his players.
“In the tough moments, character is an important ingredient,” he said.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Leali’ifano, Joe Tomane, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Scott Higginbotham, Michael Hooper (capt), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper. Res: Josh Mann-Rae, Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, James Horwill, Matt Hodgson, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Rob Horne.
DC-NZ
Guest
I work in PR and can help Link - because he sure needs it. Actually the SMH wrote this week that the ARU had hired a media management firm. So why the hell was Link speaking publicly, AGAIN!
Magic Sponge
Guest
Ah the amigos they have done so much for the wallabies. How do we live without them.. Brought down two coaches. Qc brings down Deans, Beale brings Link, Joc will bring down the next coach.
ALAN JONES
Guest
All the best athletes are going to the NRL !! Simples
Ken
Guest
David , im glad you didn`t mention Palu ,cos he`s a Joke of a test player...
stillmissit
Roar Guru
It is always the same in Australian rugby. Horror stories, gutless performances, player power, media circus, politics, Qld v NSW etc etc. Then out of the ruins, mostly against the wishes of the administration, comes a coach like Rod Macqueen and it all takes off. For a few golden years we can beat anyone, then the politics start again and a newly appointed coach thinks he can just squeeze this lemon without putting himself at risk and the rot starts again.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
CaneT: People won't you listen now? You don't know what you're missing now. Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same.
Ronaldo
Guest
All Black supporters will outnumber Wallaby supporters on Saturday night. Pulver, McKenzie & the ARU could not run a tuck shop. McKenzie is ranting on like a world championship wrestler. Time you shut up Mr. Droll. Very few out here are listening to you.
Adsa
Guest
A big aye to that 30mm.
David
Guest
Stupid comment in a week dominated by horrible commentary and over the top comparisons and hysteria....who the f is comparing EM to captain Bligh and Margaret thatcher give us all a break you muppet. The comments regarding team leadership are telling...no Moore, no tatafu, no pocock, no genia= minus 250 tests experience and leadership which for all of Hoopers on field traits he cannot replace. Wallabies are not NZ and cannot replace such loses of experience easily...the result is the above mess. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, see what kind of character these wallabies are made of on Saturday night and go from there...
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
I proper mate would front the guy and tell him in no uncertain terms "you've acted like a complete muppet. Get your faecal matter together. We won't dump you, but we won't pretend you have no issues to address" Condoning his behaviour or writing it off as some sort of harmless laddishness doesn't give Kurtley the peer support he clearly needs. Certain Sydney media personalities should all be forced to dance with Mark Holden as penance for a lack of journalistic integrity.
30mmtags
Guest
Thelma you are an apologist. Either that or you are stirring the pot. Let's suggest instead that Beale, Hooper and AC learn to maintain a dignified silence. It is those players, plus others, who seem to think their skill as players allows them to make statements that intentionally or otherwise only fuel the fire. The players need a code of conduct that defines their position as players not as spokespersons. Many kids have parents who never said "no " to their darlings. The consequence is a lack of humility and awareness of responsibilities to the team as an entity. Support for fellow players is fine but not in the press. Ewen needs players like Hodgson and Horwill to fill a void when hopefully the ARU rips up half a dozen contracts and starts again with Men who know how to be Men. Once they know what it is to have humility in leadership they may possibly lead the Wallabies to victory. Can anyone compare the lack of fibre evident in these junior Wallabies to that shown by Eales, Nick Farr-Jones , Lynagh , Poidevin Trevor Allen, Bill McLean etc. . Go hard Ewen and take only to Europe those that madly want to represent on and off the field the traditions of the Wallabies.
ThelmaWrittes
Guest
MacKenzie has to learn to maintain Dignified Silence.
Paul Cleland
Guest
McCalman has to at least be on the bench. I read a post earlier about Matt Hodgson being captain. Who else in that team has his credentials and leadership skills. It has to be done now and only has to last until after the world cup. Who is the 2nd starting lock? If Tomane gets the left wing spot Australia will definitely lose. Why do you think SA play Brian H on the left wing and Cornel H on the right. It's the way the ball naturally swings and moves because most people are naturally right handed. My theory if flawed because you need a good defender on the right and Cornel is crap at defence.
30 mm Tags
Guest
You are right Blind Freddy. McKenzie has had a precocious child and his school age playmates to contend with. Plus he has had no senior " All Black style" team members to rally the decency in the school boy team members. Beale is a talent, but needs to believe every thing he does is under scrutiny and if he wants to stay with the Wallabies then fine him 50% of his annual contract then we will see if he can behave. Michael Hooper is another who needs to grow up and I believe that his selection as Captain has allowed a vacuum of true leadership. Hooper is a great player, but no genuine leader , strategist or exemplar. McKenzie did not have this player arrogance with the Reds. The maturity of that Reds' playing group would never wear the Kurtley Beale antics. Multiple forced changes of leadership, Pocock, Genia, Horwill, Mowen Sharpe has left a boy who likes to skateboard and stand in a spa with a forest of pubic hair on show via his super his low speedos, whilst Foxsports are interviewing him, show what a sad situation we have. I am backing McKenzie.
MrT
Guest
Won't it just be 50-50...?
Ball'n'all
Guest
Have you considered that many of the players may have considered her, and by extension, mckenzie's approach to be on the nose. There is a reason most of the players are not prepared to back her, despite beale poor behaviour. As far as the players were concerned the text issue had been dealt with by the person in charge of player discipline, being DP herself. What happened and what was said on the plane? I find it hard to believe it is just because the whole team are misogynists. You may believe it is as simple as that, but I think , as ewen said, 'it's complicated' and there is more to it than that.
thereitis
Guest
I concur Quite so - why are there some who still cannot understand this?
Silver Sovereign
Guest
Deans and Link were hired with successful super rugby results and one of, maybe two of them will be dumped. who is to say that Cheika will be any different? The players have to start having some pride in the jersey
Canetragic
Guest
Some things remain the same RT. I remember how the recruitment of Deans was seen as a coup - snatching him from under the noses of the Kiwis - and that he was going to take the Wallabies to greatness. Then once the honeymoon was over the steadily increasing noises from the commentariat about his ability, personnel management, the behaviour of the Three Amigos, his poor record etc etc (and he was a Kiwi plant!). Last year, the recruitment of Link was a coup, he was going to take the Wallabys to greatness, he had a plan to beat the ABs. Then the honeymoon and euphoria faded, increasing comments about his record against the ABs and Boks, his selections, his personnel management, the behaviour of the One Amigo..... The song remains the same......
TropicalSauce
Roar Rookie
Saturday is going to be tough for the Wallabies , however it's going to be even tougher with only 14 players in the run on side as is described in the above team sheet, we are missing a second rower !! I think I will have to agree with @Ken Said , not too sure it's that safe when the patients are running the mental asylum , should we be looking at the route problem and that is Bill Pulver !! . If the ARU want to clean shop I would suggest starting at the top or the tree , what is the Wallabies win Ratio under Pulver and more importantly what does the balance sheet look like ?? One would suggest if the sack Ewan early it would blow an unwanted whole in the balance sheet that the ARU can not afford !!