Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says renewed speculation linking Ewen McKenzie to his job will add no extra pressure to what he already knows he must achieve in a jam-packed year of international rugby.
Deans maintained there was nothing to be gained by worrying about the security of his position as he announced a new-look Wallabies coaching team on Monday in Sydney.
Many believe McKenzie’s move to coaching director at Queensland next year has him ideally poised to take over the national post should Deans be unsuccessful in the next couple of seasons.
Deans said dominating the Test calendar starting with Scotland and Wales in June was his only focus, a task made even harder on Monday with confirmation star back James O’Connor would almost certainly miss the mid-year matches due to a lacerated liver.
Heading into his fifth year at the helm, Deans said he fully understands the importance of getting results.
“Obviously – we’re not in this to come second,” he said.
“It’s (McKenzie speculation) not a priority. There’s no (extra pressure).
“We’re here to do a job and we’ve been concentrating on what’s important to that end.
“None of us know what’s around the corner – that’s the nature of the industry.
“There’s no value in killing time contemplating.”
Deans announced on Monday that Tony McGahan will join him as coaching-coordinator, Andrew Blades as forwards coach and Nick Scrivener as coaching assistant for one Test against Scotland and three against Wales in June.
Despite the fact there are no Australian teams in the top five sides in Super Rugby at the halfway point of the season, Deans said he saw no reason for concern.
The former All Black believes this year’s competition is the best in Super Rugby history, and he’s been satisfied enough with individual performances.
Deans said he’ll need to call on a large pool of players because of the tight turnaround of matches. Players must back up from round 15 of Super Rugby for a Tuesday Test against the Scots on June 5 in Newcastle, before heading to Brisbane to face Wales just four days later on the Saturday.
With Quade Cooper virtually no chance of returning in time to be considered for selection, and O’Connor now also likely to miss the entire series, Australia will certainly need to try some new faces.
Deans said he’s keeping his eye on players who stand up in big games, perhaps starting with the giant clash between NSW and the Crusaders on Sunday.
“That’s when you see your playing group under the pump and that’s what we go looking for, to see how they respond to that circumstance.”
Deans confirmed there would likely be players in his squad who play a Super Rugby fixture and two Tests in the one week, but said there would be no excuses offered.
In his opinion, the fuller provincial and international schedule is here to stay for the benefit of the game, and Deans said it’s up to the Wallabies to adapt.
Deans said the fact there will only be one full training session before the Scotland match means experienced players will be looked upon favourably in the selection room.
“If it was someone who was coming in cold, that would be a pretty tough ask,” he said.
“Someone who has been with us in recent times, they’re a little bit more familiar with the people around them and the content.”