McKenzie to replace Deans as Aussie boss

Australian rugby chiefs are to fire national coach Robbie Deans and replace him with Queensland’s Ewen McKenzie following the Wallabies’ series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

Deans will be sacked six months before his contract ends, as the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) seeks to rebuild after the national team’s 41-16 thrashing by the Lions in Saturday’s series-deciding third Test, the Sydney Morning Herald said yesterday. ARU chief Bill Pulver met Deans on Monday, and reports said McKenzie had beaten off competition from the ACT Brumbies’ South African coach Jake White to take over the Wallabies.

Sources said McKenzie, an Australian who is director of coaching at the Queensland Reds, would be unveiled as the new national trainer today.