Waratahs' McKenzie eyes Ireland job

RUGBY/MAGNERS LEAGUE NEWS:THE UNDER-pressure New South Wales Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has expressed an interest in the vacant Irish job. GERRY THORNLEYand JOHNNY WATTERSONreport

McKenzie, who was regarded as the favourite to succeed Eddie Jones as Australia coach a year in advance of the World Cup before surprisingly pulling out of the race, is likely to know his fate with the struggling Waratahs in the next two or three weeks.

Perhaps partly sensing his fate, McKenzie has said he may consider applying for the Ireland head coaching position.

"I haven't done anything about it, but that doesn't mean I won't have a look," he said. "I'm not going to say no. I'm not going to say yes. There are other jobs, too, popping up around the place . . . it's a matter of keeping your options open."

After two productive years with the Waratahs, McKenzie's star has dimmed this season as the Sydney-based outfit have struggled. Seventh in the Super 14, they were beaten 34-7 last weekend by the pacesetting Crusaders.

McKenzie has also been linked with the ARU position of high-performance manager about to be vacated by Pat Howard, who has ruled himself out of a coaching job for the near future.

The Waratahs' assistant coach, Todd Louden, who joined from the defending champions, the Bulls, this year, is tipped to take over and the franchise's Super 14 CEO, Jim L'Estrange, has done little to dampen that speculation.

"We are hoping to make a decision in the next two to three weeks so we can plan for a strong finish this year and a strong start next year," he said. "You really can't wait until the end of the season. You are looking to give . . . the individuals the best opportunity. Picking the right time is very difficult, but waiting until the season has finished is not the right time."

Meanwhile, Malcolm O'Kelly is set to become the most-capped Leinster player of all time. The Ireland and Lions secondrow, who started last week's five-try demolition of Glasgow in the Magners League, has racked up 139 caps for the province, a total equalled only by the former captain and prop Reggie Corrigan.

A start against second-placed Llanelli on Saturday at Stradey Park would see O'Kelly overtake Corrigan, and with leaders Leinster having four more matches in the league after that, Kelly could put further daylight between himself and the rest of the pack.

The former Templeogue College lock made his debut for Leinster against Northern Transvaal in Donnybrook in 1995 and has been a permanent fixture with them for over 13 years.

There are four chasing him hardest in terms of provincial caps: Gordon D'Arcy is closest with 137 outings; Girvan Dempsey and Shane Horgan have 134 caps each; and captain Brian O'Driscoll is about to break into three figures on 99 caps.

O'Kelly is also a potential candidate to reach 100 international caps - and would be the first Irishman to do so - if he can keep the fire and form alive for another season; he has already earned 91 caps and is the most-capped Irish player ever.

Though he turns 34 in July and has shipped the usual litany of playing injuries, O'Kelly has kept himself in fine physical shape.

A fitting tribute to the career of Anthony Foley has been organised for the end of May. Elite players will join grassroots supporters in a three-day testimonial for the Munster and Ireland backrow.

As requested by the player, proceeds from a golf classic to be held at Dromoland Castle, "An audience with Anthony" and a gala dinner will go to the Mid-Western Radiation Oncology Centre and the IRFU Charitable Trust.