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Test great David Campese has called for Ewen McKenzie to replace Robbie Deans as Wallabies coach if Queensland cap their remarkable resurgence with a Super Rugby title.
McKenzie has taken the Reds from second last to a home final in two seasons at Ballymore and Campese believes he now deserves to lead Australia after this year's World Cup.
The Australian Rugby Union is in the process of recontracting Deans beyond the tournament but the 101-Test winger said it is time to put an Australian back in charge.
Campese said McKenzie is the best man for the national job he turned down in late 2005, when he opted to stay on with the Waratahs.
"If they win, Ewen McKenzie should become the Wallabies coach," he said.
"I know they want Robbie Deans signed but we don't need him.
"I would rather Australia have an Australian coach than sign Robbie Deans again.
"(McKenzie) has taken the Reds from almost last to first so he's definitely got the players playing well and he deserves to be the national coach."
McKenzie lost out when Deans became the first foreigner appointed to the role, replacing John Connolly after the Wallabies were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup.
The former Test prop had the chance to succeed Eddie Jones as Australia coach after taking the Waratahs to the first of two Super Rugby finals in 2005.
Meanwhile, McKenzie is almost certain to unveil an unchanged 22 after winger Luke Morahan failed in his attempts to return from a torn hamstring.
It's likely to see former Melbourne Storm three-quarter Will Chambers retained on the bench to be in line to join Crusaders' lock Brad Thorn as the second player to earn the NRL-Super Rugby title double.
Dual international Thorn won three NRL premierships for the Brisbane Broncos (1998, 2000, 2006) before being a part of the Crusaders' 2008 final victory over the Waratahs.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1226089096115