McKenzie locks the doors

McKenzie locks the doors

Friday, May 4, 2007

WARATAHS coach Ewen McKenzie has defended his coaching staff in the aftermath of criticism by NSW Rugby chairman Arvid Petersen this week.

It is understood the Waratahs' coaches were taken aback by the fact Petersen's comments were aired on the team's own website.

McKenzie would not be drawn on those reports. But he stood up for his assistant coaches at yesterday's final training session in Sydney for their last Super 14 game of the season, against the Hurricanes in Wellington tomorrow.

The Waratahs, placed 13th in their worst season, fly out for New Zealand this morning hoping to add one more win to their meagre tally of two.

Their poor showing prompted Petersen to call for an urgent change in the coaching structure, including the re-appointment of an attacking coach.

Asked yesterday if he was surprised by Petersen's public remarks, McKenzie said: "I don't control the method. In terms of the comments, well, there are interpretations. You have to look at the flavour and the way it was intended.

"In terms of the content, none of the coaches are sitting around saying, 'This has been a great season'. No one is trying to pretend that it is better than it was.

"They are interested in getting all the elements out there and making sure there is a full understanding. And we will look to do that in the next two weeks."

McKenzie and the Waratahs have enough on their plate with tomorrow night's round 14 Hurricanes clash at Westpac Stadium.

The eighth-placed Kiwi side may be out of the finals race, but it is star centre Tana Umaga's last game. There will be no one more aware of the challenge than the Waratahs player who will oppose Umaga, NSW No.12 Ben Jacobs.

"It's always a great honour marking a guy like Tana. He has been one of the greats of rugby," said Jacobs, who will start against Umaga for the first time.

"He has an aura around him. He brings that hard running. He has great skills and that passion for the Hurricanes - the will to win. It will be a great test for me."

Rupert Guinness