Saturday 18 October 2014 22:21, UK
Australia head coach Ewen McKenzie has resigned following the Wallabies’ 29-28 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday.
The 49-year-old had been under pressure heading into the game following a scandal which saw team manager Di Patston resign and star utility back Kurtley Beale suspended.
McKenzie was forced to deny he had been involved in an intimate relationship with Patston and faced the accusation that he had lost the support of senior players over her role with the team.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) denied reports earlier this week that they were planning to sack McKenzie.
In the game, Malakai Fekitoa crossed three seconds from full-time and Colin Slade kicked the match-winning conversion as the All Blacks battled back to beat Australia in a Bledisloe Cup thriller in Brisbane.
McKenzie, who coached Australia in 22 Tests since August 2013, told a post-match media conference that he had informed the ARU on Saturday morning that he planned to resign, but had not told the players before the match.
"I resigned this morning at 10 o'clock," said McKenzie. "I wrote to Bill (Pulver) and the board members and discussed what's been going on.
"I've been a very proud contributor to Australian rugby. There's a bunch of reasons that I've put in writing to Bill.
"My intention was to resign win lose of draw. I've only just told the team. I didn't advise the team or staff before the game.
"It's been a disappointing time for a number of reasons. I'm not going to go into the details, you guys can work it out.
"I've been unhappy with a bunch of things and the easiest thing for me is to exit stage left. I'll leave you guys to speculate or ponder, I'll write a chapter in my book."
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said in a statement: "I did not ask Ewen to resign, but understand his decision. He informed me this morning of his intention to resign, regardless of tonight's result.
"Ewen is a world-class coach and a world-class individual who has been committed to playing entertaining rugby for our fans since he started in the role.
"We sincerely wish Ewen well for the future professionally and personally."
Pulver said he hoped to appoint a new coach before the end of the week when the Wallabies depart for their November tour of Europe.
Former Springbok coach Jake White, who was in the frame to replace Robbie Deans last year, and Michael Cheika, who led New South Wales Waratahs to the Super Rugby title this year, are likely to be leading candidates.
