Brumbies coach Jake White believes Ewen McKenzie was given the nod over him for the Wallabies coaching role because he’s Australian.

The Australian Rugby Union will confirm on Tuesday afternoon that Queensland Reds director of coaching McKenzie will take over from Robbie Deans at a press conference in Brisbane at 2pm AEST.

South African White said that while he hadn’t yet been called by the ARU – who approached him for the role a few weeks ago – he wished McKenzie all the best.

White said it wasn’t just a perception that McKenzie got the nod over him because of his Australian heritage.

“It’s not a perception. It’s a fact,” White said.

“It just happened. You fired the cricket coach, put an Aussie in, fired the rugby coach and put an Aussie in.

“It’s not a case that I’m fearing about it. South African pick a South African, Kiwis pick Kiwis. England rugby pick English people to pick the team.

“They’ve tried foreigners and I appreciate that. That doesn’t mean that I have to agree or disagree with it. That’s the nature of the game we’re in.”