So Ewen McKenzie Ireland coach? McKenzie, Queensland Reds manager who surprised a lot of people in Oz when he announced that he'll be leaving his position at the end of the season, has been seen as a very likely replacement to Declan Kidney amongst member of the Aussie rugby journalist fraternity.
Strange decision by McKenzie, unless he already has a job in the bag. Ireland? Not sure he'd be first choice.
— Paul Cully (@whiskeycully) March 18, 2013
He clearly has the credentials to be a Test coach, but there aren't too many gigs available. If Deans beats the Lions he's going nowhere.
— Paul Cully (@whiskeycully) March 18, 2013
@whiskeycully get your money on ireland, whiskey
— Greg Growden (@GregGrowden) March 18, 2013
Growden even quoted a 'high ranking Irish official' who said McKenzie 'will be the next Ireland coach' in a piece he wrote today for ESPNscrum.
Link McKenzie is a former prop who wanted Robbie Deans job but seems to have reconsidered his options after derogatory comments were leaked a month ago by a prominent member of the ARU board. "As long as my backside is pointing to the ground, Ewen McKenzie will not coach Australia. You cannot have a front-row forward in charge of the Wallabies because they know nothing about backline play," the board member said.
McKenzie features nowhere on Paddy Power's 'Next Fulltime Ireland Rugby Head Coach Odds'
The IRFU has told Irish media that it will wait three weeks before deciding on the fate of Declan Kidney. McKenzie would not be totally new to Northern Hemisphere rugby. He also managed Stade Francais in 2008-2009. Another rugby journalist Iain Peyten suggested that McKenzie, who is highly regarded in Australia, could be using the possibility of an upcoming Ireland vacancy as leverage for a new position Down Under
Ewen McKenzie proving he's as good at politics as he is at coaching today. Ireland interest provides timely leverage.
— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) March 18, 2013
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