Coaching rival Steve Hansen says the All Blacks take no joy in contributing to Ewen McKenzie cutting short a coaching reign that had promised to end their Bledisloe dominance.
McKenzie rose to the post of Australia coach on the back of his immense success against Kiwi teams (14-5) in Super Rugby as Queensland mentor from 2010-13.
But in his six Tests as national coach, the Wallabies failed to win a match against their arch rivals.
The rain-sodden 12-12 draw in Sydney in August was the closest McKenzie came to triumphing against the world champions, although his team should have also closed out Saturday night’s Bledisloe clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Leading by 10 points with 11 minutes left, the Wallabies ultimately fell 29-28 with Colin Slade kicking a gut-wrenching conversion after the full-time hooter.
It meant McKenzie’s final record dipped below a 50 per cent success rate – the least for an Australian coach in the modern era – with 10 wins, one draw and 11 losses from his 22 Tests in charge.
Hansen congratulated the Wallabies for one of the best performances he’d seen from Australia and expressed sympathy for his fallen counterpart.
“It’s sad to hear that and we take no joy out of that at all to be frank,” the New Zealand coach said.
“I’m not sure you group out there know how tough it is to coach an international side and I can tell you when things are going really good it’s still bloody tough.
Hansen felt Australia’s apparent on-field woes had been blown out of proportion.
“They’re playing good footy,” he said. “We only beat them by a point.”
Former Australia skippers Phil Kearns and George Gregan both rallied behind McKenzie, a 51-Test prop who was a member of the 1991 World Cup-winning side.
Kearns said an under-pressure McKenzie had been treated poorly by the media in the fallout from the Kurtley Beale texting scandal that had brought question marks over his appointment of business manager Di Patston.
“Ewen’s been hung out to dry by the press over the past couple of weeks in writing articles that were just clearly wrong,” he told Fox Sports.
“It’s a really disappointing moment for Australian rugby.
“We’ve lost potentially a great coach. We didn’t have the results on the board just yet but I think we’ve all just agreed here tonight there were some positive steps forward.”
Gregan pointed to McKenzie’s efforts to lead the Wallabies to a seven-Test winning streak, their best in the past decade, after a series clean sweep of France in June.
“There were a few bumps on the road, which is often the case on a journey that is to a Rugby World Cup, but you could see positive signs, and again tonight.
“We’re all still in a sense of shock. That’s for sure.”
FraggleWrangler
Roar Rookie
It's amazing how Australian supporters aren't satisfied with anything less than no.1 in the world. Dipping below a 50% win record when almost all of your games are against the top 5 teams in the world is pretty good for a country where rugby is the no.4 code. England has beaten NZ once in the last 14 attempts. Wales has been waiting since 1953 for another win, and Ireland has been trying unsuccesfully since 1905.
soapit
Guest
stay classy kpm
soapit
Guest
ask andrew bolt where the law stands on this
In Brief
Guest
Hoppers you sound like those bare knuckle fighters in Ireland putting out a challenge.
In Brief
Guest
Correct, there is a massive smell of hypocrisy around this issue.
In Brief
Guest
And yet to a man you guys are defaming Beale far more than anyone has ever defamed McKenzie.
In Brief
Guest
So true. The people blaming Beale for Australian rugby woes base their beliefs on 'media reports' and unnamed sources. They similtaneously slag off the media for hounding EM. If Di Padston was a man, and this was a typical job for the boys, the blame would be squarely on Ewen's shoulders. People are getting all worked up with the text message, and the more important questions are being ignored.
CB
Guest
I'm afraid that with all the hype around Links going, we have forgotten that we saw last night an outstanding game of rugby. Imagine how the Wallaby players must be feeling, having put in all that effort, just lost the match and now forgotten because everyone is focusing on the politics. It is a damn shame.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Nothing more to it? Not according to Ewen McKenzie.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
So you read my posts and came to that conclusion because I said its not all Beales fault that McKenzie quit. Well done sir. Try thinking.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Pffft. Yes a person who doesnt agree with you and is saying that its not black n white is a tr0ll. Why must I be surrounded by those that cant think and go straight for the insult? I guess thats the internet. Love your work Ken, youre a real fountain of knowledge.
BetterRedThanDead
Guest
Reckon winning a couple of big games now and then might make all of this go away. If we are agreed we have the talent, who does that leave to do it? The coach.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
And Im saying none of us know too. Thats exactly what I am saying. Hoppers said it was all Beales fault and I said it wasnt that simple.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
You need to read my post. I didnt say Beale was innocent at all I said he wasnt to blame for everything. Please be reasonable, please read my post properly, please stop insulting and trying to censor somebody who wont stop inquiring and follow your path of thinking. I have been completely reasonable and have been the one that is moderate when others are being extreme and trying to silence those who dont bow to their extreme and narrow minded views.
DelaNightmares
Guest
Hey pal I didn't mention Beale all I said was you actually don't have any idea what the truth really is, none of us on here do. And yeah speaking your mind is fine, doesn't make right though. Just saying
Watcher
Guest
As a long term AB fan I always liked McKenzie firstly as a player and then as a coach. He seems like a decent bloke whose coaching talents seem under rated, especially by sections of the NSW Press. When you look at his injury lists and discipline problems with players, the root of which can't be blamed on him. His results against every one bar the ABs is pretty good. They are not alone in that respect. This AB team is one of the greatest ever, so the Wallabies can't be too bad. Personally I think as a long time, high acheiving servant of Australian rugby he has been poorly treated.
Sneaky
Guest
I couldn't agree with you more hoppers. The press have a big part to blame in this saga and pulver knows exactly what Mackenzie wrote and he was pointing the finger at the media. There is nothing more to this sordid affair than some unquestionably stupid texts sent by a player that has a less than satisfactory discipline record. Some journos are extremely unprofessional in reporting on speculation and basically mud slinging. As much as I believe in free speech I believe in integrity and some parts of the media have none! It's a real shame that link had to fall on his sword but hopefully that puts an end to this affair and we can move on. I hope the bad biased reporters will hang their heads in shame and stick to factual reporting on the game of rugby! Who would want the head coach at the wallabies atm. It's a poisoned chalice. A dark day in Australian rugby union history after an incredible game.
Ken
Guest
Hoppers this guys your arguing with is a fat troll who enjoys creating mischief so please don't waste your time or energy
Ken
Guest
Troll
Hoppers
Guest
My name is David Hopley and I live in Greenwich, Sydney. That solves the issue of anonymity. I'm not afraid of putting my name to logic & reason.