AAP
The Australian Rugby Union are weighing up the merits of Ewen McKenzie and Jake White as their next head coach with Robbie Deans' six-season Wallabies tenure screaming to a halt.
The wheels are in motion for Deans to be axed this week - five months before his contract expires - following Saturday night's demoralising series-deciding loss to the British and Irish Lions.
The ARU had sounded out both Queensland and the Brumbies about the possibility of sweeping McKenzie and White, respectively, into the national post before the 41-16 third Test defeat.
Inconsistent results, plus Deans' inability to clamp down on the continued discipline problems with James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale, had put the New Zealander under intense pressure before the ANZ Stadium thumping.
Advertisement
But the second-half capitulation virtually sealed his fate, and a shattered Deans spoke like a man resigned to his fate after the match.
While he received support from a number of Wallabies, it is unlikely to help him keep his job for The Rugby Championship, which kicks off on August 17.
ARU discussions were taking place on Sunday and indications are there will be a coaching announcement in the coming days.
South African White is believed to be the slight front-runner following his efforts to put the Brumbies on top of the Australian conference in Super Rugby, as well as his experience in leading the Springboks to the 2007 World Cup.
But McKenzie, who turned around the Reds and took them to the 2011 Super Rugby title after also guiding NSW to finals in 2005 and 2008, has more public support as rugby fans want to see an Australian in charge.
A poll on the Rugby Heaven website on Sunday had 56 per cent of the 10,000 respondents backing McKenzie compared to White (23%) and Deans (14%).
The Reds coach was poised to challenge Deans two years ago but then ARU boss John O'Neill controversially contracted the former Crusaders mentor for two more years before a disappointing World Cup campaign.
Under Deans, Australia have mostly hovered between No.2 and 3 in the world but never claimed the Bledisloe Cup, winning only three of 18 Tests against the All Blacks.
The Wallabies won the 2011 Tri-Nations and have held the Mandela Plate since 2010.
However, they have suffered shock losses to Scotland (twice) and Samoa and were blown away by the Springboks and France on the road last year.
Skipper James Horwill stood by Deans after the 2-1 Lions series loss but veteran George Smith, brought back for one farewell Test, would not comment.
Halfback Will Genia said: "I don't think the result reflects on Robbie.
"As players we're held accountable, we were the ones on the field."
Deans' maligned choice at five-eighth, James O'Connor, also felt the team had to take responsibility for the four-tries-to-one loss.
"Just they outmuscled us," said O'Connor. "Physically they were on top of their game and we weren't.
"I guess I can't really read into that."
The defeat was also tainted by a low-grade hamstring strain to Israel Folau who will miss next Saturday's return to ANZ Stadium when the Waratahs meet the Reds.
NSW No.8 Wycliff Palu (knee) is in doubt for the final-round clash while Genia (knee) may also struggle to line up for the Reds.
Normally the interstate grudge match holds great interest but almost all the attention will be on coaching machinations this week.
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said later on Sunday that he won't be rushing into a decision on Deans' future.
"There has been a lot of emotion and comment expressed from various areas since last night's Test and we will not be entering into any speculation or debate on the coaching issue at this stage," said Pulver.
pinnacle airlines kansas vs kentucky oakland college basketball joe posnanski michael kidd gilchrist national championship
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.