Ewen McKenzie eyes All Blacks after Reds exit Super Rugby playoffs
- From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
- July 21, 2013
THE full scope of the job that Ewen McKenzie now faces as Wallabies coach was exposed in Christchurch just a month out from his first collision with the All Blacks.
Just as the Wallabies pack was bullied into a chastening third Test crash by the British and Irish Lions, the Reds challenge in Super Rugby was extinguished without the pack power to light a flame for the backs.
The breakdown efficiency and verocity of the Crusaders made sure the Reds were largely on the back foot all night. From that position, it doesn't matter how good your halves are in Will Genia and Quade Cooper.
It would be interesting to imagine Cooper behind an All Black pack. The Christchurch crowd on Saturday night might still boo him in black such was their relish for that sideshow fun.
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McKenzie will have to assemble a more forceful Test pack in front of Cooper and Genia for the August 17 Test against the All Blacks in Sydney. James Horwill, Rob Simmons and James Slipper, in the beaten Reds pack on Saturday night, will have to find far more in gold.
All Black kingpins Dan Carter and Kieran Read were huge and will be out to put a lock on the Bledisloe Cup again.
McKenzie wasn't thinking Wallabies behind his hollow eyes after the 38-9 loss.
"Different scenario, different circumstances, different time...tonight was not about that," McKenzie said.
How far short of the grand upset the Reds had planned was painful for McKenzie.
"We spoke before the game of making this memorable. Unfortunately, we are stuck with a memory none of us want," McKenzie said.
"You don't want to finish up that way.
"It rankles with me and the guys that it was an uncharacteristic performance to see our defence let us down. We haven't given up four tries all season.
"Mind you the Crusaders were good. They were really sharp and once we got behind one the scoreboard it's hard to chase the game against them."
McKenzie now turns spectator and will watch Sunday's Brumbies-Cheetahs play-off in Canberra with his Wallabies' glasses on.
Big forward performances will be rewarded because the Wallabies have to find that starch and firepower to compete against the All Blacks.
The Crusaders also showed more grit in the tough moments and their kingpins Kieran Read and Dan Carter really stood tall.
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