McKenzie appointed as Wallaby coach

The Australian Rugby Union has confirmed that Ewen McKenzie will take over from Robbie Deans as head coach to the national side with immediate effect after the latter resigned in the wake of the 2-1 seriues defeat to the Lions.

An ARU statement read: “Qantas Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans has announced this morning he is stepping down from the role effective immediately.”

The governing body had already been reviewing Deans’ performance as he approached the end of his contract, which was due to expire at the end of the year. We have been conducting that due diligence over the last few months, taking into account broad criteria for coach selection,” Pulver said.

“Consideration was given to leadership skills, discipline, coaching capability, coaching records, and important factors such as character, values and style of play. Therefore, we were well prepared depending on how the year unfolded.

“Robbie resigning in the wake of the Lions Tour did not catch us unprepared to move forward with a replacement.

“(McKenzie’s) opportunity comes quickly, with the Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship and the opening match of that competition — the Bledisloe Cup showdown with the All Blacks on August 17th.”

McKenzie is targeting Bledisloe Cup success. The 48 year old McKenzie made 51 appearances for Australia at prop and was part of their 1991 World Cup-winning squad before carving out a successful coaching career at home and overseas.

He is excited at the opportunity to coach his home country and is hoping to make an immediate impact. “I’m really pleased to be able to accept the job of Wallaby coach,” he said today.

“I’m pretty proud right now, pretty privileged to be able to get that opportunity. Right here and now I’ve been asked to do a very specific job, that job starts in five weeks’ time. There’s no better coaching assignment than to pit yourself against the All Blacks.

“I’ve played and coached in a bunch of Bledisloe Cup games (as A team coach) and to get another crack at the All Blacks is terrific. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of taking them on and from that, good things can flow.

“It’s a really important time in Australian rugby. On the field, people will worry about where the Wallabies are at. I’m looking forward to the challenge of making a difference in that and in the game as a whole.”

Deans led the Wallabies in 74 Tests having been appointed early in 2008. He said: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in Australian rugby for their support through the duration of my tenure. It has been a rewarding five years and I am proud of all that we have achieved.

“Most especially I would like to thank the players for their efforts and wish them all the best going forward.”

Pulver added: “Robbie came into the job in 2008, improved our away record almost immediately, delivered a Tri Nations title in 2011 and has been a significant part of a Lions Tour that overshadows any other rugby event in Australia since the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

“We wish him all the best in his future endeavours and to build further on what is one of world rugby’s most impressive coaching resumes.”