McKenzie dismisses Ireland link as “a function of timing”

Queensland Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie insists there’s nothing sinister about his decision to leave Brisbane, confirming he has no job offers on the table at the moment — including Ireland.

McKenzie fronted a media conference in Brisbane yesterday to clear up speculation he had a direct path to the Wallabies job or was ready to make a move to Dublin.

McKenzie was adamant his decision would put no further pressure on Robbie Deans ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour, and said that the timing was purely aimed at giving the Reds the best chance of succeeding on the field in 2013.

“There’s no conspiracy... there’s nothing to it other than trying to provide the Reds players, the Reds staff and the Reds organisation, the QRU, some certainty about what I’m doing and allows them to make some decisions,” McKenzie said.

“If there’s a coaching assignment that looks like a real challenge for me, then I’ll have a look at it — it’s as simple as that.

“I noticed that Ireland popped up in the paper but I haven’t spoken to anyone from Ireland.

“No one’s spoken to me, I haven’t spoken to them.

“I think that’s purely a function of timing.

“Ireland had a loss on the weekend and I made the announcement today and people put two and two together.

“People love doing that — they love a conspiracy. They love to try and put things together.”