McKenzie quits after Wallabies loss

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has sensationally resigned in the wake of Australia’s last-gasp 29-28 loss to the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium.

McKenzie, who was under fire in the wake of the Kurtley Beale texting scandal and a loss to Argentina, dropped the bombshell at the end of his post-match media conference on Saturday night.

He notified the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) of his decision, regardless of the Bledisloe result, at 10am and only revealed it to his players in the dressing room after the gutting loss.

“I think Australia has lost a great coach and a wonderful bloke and it’s very disappointing we have lost a man like him,” said ARU chief executive Bill Pulver, who attempted to talk him out of the stunning call.

“In essence, Ewen said he was going to struggle to retain the level of support he needs from the playing group and, in my view, because of the character assassination he’s suffered in the last two weeks.

“The attack on Ewen was relentless and essentially left him with the view it set him too far back to be an effective rugby coach.”

After leading by 10 points with 11 minutes remaining, Australia conceded two tries as the world champions managed to get out of jail in a Bledisloe classic.

New Zealand centre Malakai Fekitoa crossed out wide with two seconds left and then Colin Slade kicked the angled conversion to complete a stunning comeback.

For all but the last minute of the match, it looked as though the Wallabies would produce their best win of McKenzie’s 15-month tenure.

It was a performance that restored pride in the gold jersey but the result left all Wallabies and the Australians in the 45,186-strong Brisbane crowd gutted.

The effort and attacking strategy imposed suggested McKenzie’s coaching job would be at least safe for the coming five-match Spring Tour of Europe.

Popular vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for Australia’s third try in his 100th Test to give a 22-12 lead just after halftime but he didn’t walk away with the victory he deserved.

While fatigue was a major factor for the gallant Wallabies, as they played the game on the front foot and ran the ball from side to side, the telling period was midway through the second half when they failed to capitalise on a one-man advantage.

Patrick Tuipulotu was sin-binned for taking out Rob Simmons in the air but a series of missed opportunities in the All Blacks’ 22 was punished when Aaron Smith dived over, just as the reserve lock was due to return.

Smith’s try gave New Zealand the momentum for the first time in the match but Australia looked home when Nic White landed a 45m penalty for a 28-22 lead.

After the turmoil of the Beale scandal, an Australian victory would have been a sorely needed morale booster but they must satisfy themselves knowing they delivered a performance to restore some pride in the gold jersey.

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