Fallout from the 1-2 Test series loss to the British and Irish Lions was quick, with Ewen McKenzie installed as Wallabies coach, replacing the sacked Robbie Deans.
McKenzie, the Queensland Reds coach, will begin his reign with Australia in the Rugby Championship – an international series involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa that is an expansion of the former Tri-Nations series—which starts on Aug 17 and finishes on Oct 5.
Deans sacked
New Zealander Deans had six months left in his Australian Wallaby contract.
Despite going into the final game at 1-all, the Wallabies quickly fell apart as their scrum literally collapsed.
Prop Ben Alexander was sent to the sin bin after only 25 minutes for repeated scrum infringements. At that point, it was all over for the Australians. Only courage and luck could save them.
The Wallabies did strike back, though, with flyhalf James O’Connor scoring a solo try from close to the line, taking the score to 16-19 at half-time. The Lions went on to win 41-16.
O’Connor was moved to flyhalf for the series by Deans, in a selection that drew widespread criticism. The incumbent flyhalf Quade Cooper wasn’t selected in the squad, following a falling-out with Deans.
Despite O’Connor performing poorly in the first two Tests, Deans stuck with him to the bitter end.
McKenzie, who coaches Cooper at the Reds, will bring Cooper back into the Wallabies.
I imagine Cooper with take that second chance and cement his place in the Australian side again.
Coincidently, Australia has just started a cricket Test series against England in England. Darren Lehmann was a last minute replacement for South African coach Mickey Arthur.
In both sports, supporters have been buoyed by the selection of an Australian coach. Both McKenzie and Lehmann represented their country as players.
McKenzie won a Super title with the Reds.
Dean’s decision to play the inexperienced O’Connor at flyhalf instead of Cooper, may have been divisive within the Wallaby staff.
Rebels appoint new coach as Super Rugby resumes
Dean’s right-hand-man with the Wallabies, Tony McGahan, has replaced Damiel Hill as coach of the Melbourne Rebels. O’Connor was immediately sacked.
The Rebels intend trying to keep their other Wallaby bad-boy, Kurtley Beale, despite interest from the Waratahs in Sydney, Beale’s hometown.
McGahan coached the Irish side Munster for seven years, winning Europe’s Heineken Cup twice.
Meanwhile, Super Rugby resumes in full for the last round before the finals.
In New Zealand the fast-finishing Crusaders need a 4-try, bonus point win over the inconsistent Hurricanes to be in the reckoning to top the NZ conference.
The Chiefs play the Blues from Auckland, in a match that may decide whether the Chiefs top the conference.
In Australia, the Reds meet the Waratahs in the match of the round, with the result influencing where the Reds sit in the final series.
When the Brumbies meet the Force they could be playing for top spot overall.
In the final game of the round, the Stormers play the Bulls, who may well be playing for top spot overall.
Peter Lalanabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years experience.
