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Ewen McKenzie wasn’t pushed out by players

Michael Hooper insists Ewen McKenzie had not lost the respect of the playing group ahead of his resignation as Wallabies coach.

McKenzie tendered his resignation to the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) at 10:00am on Saturday, but did not tell the playing squad before they narrowly lost to New Zealand in Brisbane.

The coach then announced his resignation in the immediate aftermath of the Bledisloe Cup defeat, having spoken out about the hurt of a heavily-medicated Di Patston, who resigned as Wallabies manager last weekend, had suffered at the media’s hands.

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But Wallabies captain Hooper insisted that all of his players played “for everyone in the group”, including McKenzie and the team’s staffers, after a tough week.

“We played for everyone in this group, that’s family, that’s staff. Ewen’s no exception to that,” Hooper said.

“[McKenzie] really put in a good performance in the back-end of the week.

“I think as a playing group we were able to bond in the last two weeks and get a good relationship with the staff.

“I dont think he lost the respect of the players. Last night’s game showed he didn’t lose the respect of the players, he really showed what’s he’s really worth this week.”

Hooper says the Wallabies simply have to move on following McKenzie’s departure ahead of the team’s European tour, which they depart for on Friday.

“You’ve got to respect his decision as an individual. He’s got his reasons for that, we respect those as a team and we need to move forward,” Hooper said.

“He’s been great for us as a playing group. He’s put a lot of things in place.

“For us, while Link was a great coach, a guy that helped a lot of players out, we’ve got to move forward and that’s what we’ll be doing from now on.”

Pulver has ‘a lot of work to do’ to find coach in time

ARU chief Bill Pulver, who last night blamed the media for McKenzie’s resignation, says he is hopeful he can find a coaching replacement who can get on the plane for Europe on Friday.

Michael Cheika, who coached the Waratahs to a Super Rugby title this year, has firmed as the favourite to replace McKenzie.

But the first challenge facing the ARU is finding a coach who can take over, at least in an interim capacity, in time for the European tour.

“I wasn’t eager to accept the coach’s resignation,” Pulver said.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do over next couple of days. The team leaves on Friday and I’d love to think we’re a chance to find somebody who has a chance to get on the plane with them.

“There will be a solution, I’m hoping it will be the ideal solution.”

Pulver insists he had not spoken to any coaches in the weeks leading up to McKenzie’s resignation.

“I did not speak to any coach about the option of taking up the Wallabies coaching role,” Pulver said.

“All I can say is I’ve got a list of options in mind and I’ve got a lot of work to do. I did not expect Ewen McKenzie to resign yesterday. I’ve had no conversations with other coaches about this prospect.”

Appointing Patston was not a mistake: Pulver

Pulver said he had not seen any signs the players had lost confidence in McKenzie.

“I do think the media situation that Ewen was embroiled in clearly had a role to play. Ewen like all of us is a human being and the pressures from being a Wallabies coach are unique,” he said.

“I haven’t seen any evidence of the fact the players had no confidence in Ewen, but with the environment he was in, he felt it was too difficult to come back from that point.

“He said it was the best thing for Australian rugby if he stepped aside.”

Pulver also rejected the suggestion there was a problem with team culture, while also insisting McKenzie’s appointment of Patston was not a mistake.

“We’re in a world that women can work inside of sporting environments. The concept of being a female in that environment, I have no problem with whatsoever.

“Ewen had an outstanding track record. I had great faith in his ability to choose the right people that he needed. It’s not [Patston’s] fault, she was just a part of the team he put together.

“I don’t think there’s anything fundamental that needs to change about the culture surrounding the team.

“I am concerned about the way an Australian coach was treated. [McKenzie] was a great man and a great coach and I’m disappointed that this outcome is where we finished up.”

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