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About Ewen McKenzie
About Ewen McKenzie
Ewen McKenzie first represented Australia in 1990 against France and a year later was part of Australia's victorious World Cup squad. Alongside fellow prop Tony Daly and hooker Phil Kearns, McKenzie formed one of the most formidable front-rows to represent Australia. In all he played 51 Tests across seven years for the Wallabies. McKenzie took up coaching after retiring from competitive rugby and was an assistant to both Rod Macqueen and Eddie Jones before succeeding Bob Dwyer at the helm of the Waratahs in November 2003.
We have the spine, now for the meat
DURING my off-season research, I discovered that the Crusaders' home-ground advantage is worth 13 points. Other venues also offer the home team some love, but the advantage falls into the six- to nine-point range. That deficit is just one challenge we need to overcome to hold up the Super 14 trophy tonight.
Homing in on the semifinals
Getting a home semi is as difficult as finishing one or two and takes considerable consistency. Consistency in accumulating points and, this goes to the performance, consistency of the team and individuals.
Reds face a break with history
I was thinking yesterday as I attended the Reds lunch that perhaps we should be sending the Reds an invoice for the game.
It's a different ball game every week
The run home in the Super 14 is as treacherous as the waters here off Cape Town which for centuries have seen many a seafaring campaign wrecked.
Planning to win
You would be wrong if you believed that the change in the Waratahs in 2008 had anything to do with a coaching decision made on April Fools Day this year.
How private equity might work
Rugby's push for private investment is a logical step for the game and one that I applaud, but the devil, as always, is in the detail.
A taste of France not bad for team
If you were expecting a blow-by-blow account of my trip to Paris, then you will be disappointed. I will say that Paris life was, as I left it 13 years ago, vibrant and engaging.
Tahs are ready to tackle the moments
I'm looking out the hotel window at the same building I was the last time I was here. New buildings in the distance reflect the opulent and progressive times that have pervaded here in the west in the last few years. But having said that I am in the same hotel, same floor, same room as before and perhaps there is a message in this.
Sad, relieved, humbled - and grateful
From the outset, my time at the Waratahs has been a terrific experience and a massive challenge.
Super revamp is a no-brainer
AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION boss John O'Neill's plans to expand Super
rugby have merit. Put simply, the value of the product will remain
stagnant without some sort of change.
Derby clashes offer little for selectors
If my journalistic senses are correct we will soon see the first batch of speculative stories about the composition of the next Wallabies team.
Eighty-minute effort is essential against this mob
MANY pundits believe the Crusaders can repeat their feat of 2002 and go through the season undefeated, writes Ewen McKenzie.
A good news week for rugby
I thought I might and buck the trend and write something positive about rugby and I've got the facts to back it up.
Win best form of entertainment
The saying that winning is everything is certainly not true if you're not scoring tries in the process. Penalty goals just don't get anyone excited unless it's in the final minute and the result hinges on it going over, writes Ewan McKenzie.
Semi-finalists or bust
MOMENTS for reflection are hard to find in the hurly-burly of a sporting season.
Super season of change
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of every team.
On the face of it, England are good old team
When the English lined up for their media accolades after beating France last weekend I couldn't help but notice the wonderful amount of scar tissue that featured on pretty much all of their roughed up melons.
Selection consistency is winning way
It's still hard to believe that the Wallabies won't be in action tomorrow morning.
Australia and England have swapped personas
THERE is a sense of irony about tonight's 2003 world cup final rematch in Marseilles. The clash four years ago was the last meaningful occasion where either team presented their best starting XV's.
Barnes is made of the right stuff
Berrick Barnes has become a household name in a short space of time. He has become the face of the Wallabies in two-and-a-half games and is now expected to deliver a World Cup title in the next three weeks.
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