ARU respects McKenzie's decision

The Australian Rugby Union says the task of selecting a new Head Coach for the Wallabies remains on track in spite of today's announcement by Ewen McKenzie that he would not be a candidate.

ARU Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Gary Flowers says he respects the Waratah coach's decision.

"Ewen was certainly a strong candidate but he is not the only candidate. We are committed to choosing the best person for the job. We remain on track for an announcement hopefully in February but the most important thing is to get the best person."

"That includes Australians coaching off shore or non-Australians. We have said from the outset that we have an open mind on the issue of overseas coaches, although our preference is for an Australian."

A Panel consisting of ARU General Manager of High Performance Dr Peter Davis, former Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen and former Wallaby Simon Poidevin is expected to make a recommendation to the ARU Board in February.

McKenzie said he was honoured to be widely considered for the Wallaby position which he hopes to fill one day.

"It's a very big decision for me to make and one that I did not take lightly.

"But when the Wallabies joined the rest of our squad on the country tour last week I came to the realisation that I was part of something special and that I could become a much better coach by staying at NSW and finishing what I started two years ago.

"Last season was a good one with important changes in attitude leading to many hoodoos being broken but we haven't made it just yet and that keeps me focused on my current job."

McKenzie said he can still play a critical role in the Wallabies World Cup campaign in 2007.

"I've always said that our main role at state level is to produce Test players and that's something I'll continue to do.

"We had a Test-like game plan last year and that saw us dominate some of the best forward packs in the world like the Bulls and Highlanders," McKenzie added.

"Whoever the ARU appoints as the next Wallaby coach will receive my full support in attempting to reassert Australia's position in the global order."

NSW Rugby has extended McKenzie's contract by one year to 2008 to ensure that the reforms put in place by the former Test prop are completed.

Related Articles:

Poidevin appointed to Wallaby coach selection panel (Tues Dec 6)
ARU to search for new Wallaby Head Coach (Fri Dec 2)