It seems most unlikely at this stage that the IRFU will renew the contract of Declan Kidney, and Australian media reports have linked one man to the role.
By Declan Whooley
With Queensland Reds coach and Wallaby World Cup winner Ewen McKenzie set to leave his post at the end of the season to pursue his dream of coaching a Test team, the Irish role is very much on the radar.
This Saturday he will match Robbie Deans’ record for most Super Rugby matches as head coach, with 120 games with the Waratahs and 54 with the Reds.
Despite transforming the Reds from second bottom in his first season in the 2009/10 campaign to champions the following season, he has his sights on international management.
“It’s appropriate to be up front about it now because the (contracting) decisions on the 2014 season are being made now,” McKenzie told The Australian.” I’d love to have the opportunity to coach the Wallabies but I don’t control the timing of the ARU. Things at this level are all about timing. But this way I create my own timing.”
And timing could very much be on his side for the Irish post, with Kidney set to learn his fate within the next three weeks. As well as speculation from Australian media that McKenzie would be interested in the Irish role, ESPN Rugby has said that one high ranking Irish official has even admitted privately that McKenzie “will be the next Ireland coach.”
His only previous stint in Europe was an unhappy short-lived spell at Stade Francais, but McKenzie is expected to throw his hat into the ring for the Irish job should it become available.
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