Ewen McKenzie could be Wallabies next coach

The man known fondly as Link has been the principal driver behind a revolution with the Queensland Reds, with the side looking as if they could be legitimate title contenders.

It is a remarkable change of fortunes for a team that has finished no higher than 12th in their last four Rebel Sport Super 14 campaigns. In fact, in their last five seasons they have only once recorded more than three wins in an entire season, winning four in 2006.

Three more wins from their remaining eight games will constitute their best return since 2002.

Sitting sixth on the table, they are the fourth best attacking team and the fifth best defensive team.

This comes after the Reds lost Berrick Barnes and Hugh McMeminan last year, a continued trend for a team that has lost numerous players, especially since the Western Force franchise was created. The season long loss of James Horwill was another hammer blow, but none of this has adversely affected the Queenslanders in 2010.

Many believe that this performance from Queensland and McKenzie, who led the Waratahs to two finals, makes the Reds coach next in line to be the next Wallabies boss.

McKenzie was believed to be the favourite to take over in 2006 from Eddie Jones, but extended his contract with the NSW Waratahs. He formally applied after John Connelly stood down, but was trumped by former Crusaders boss Robbie Deans, who is signed through to the next World Cup.

Alec Evans, who works with the Reds as their forward’s mentor, has also had stints with former test coaches Alan Jones, Rod McQueen and Connelly; and the Australian scrum guru believes that McKenzie is right up there with the best.

"He's as good as anyone," Evans told AAP.

"I don't want to be jumping the gun here and Ewen wouldn't because he's fairly established with the Reds and that's all that's on his mind, but he's got the credentials to step up to the next level.”

"I think he was ready (in 2006) and it was probably a missed opportunity for him. And he's grown a lot as a coach in the last three years.”

"If Robbie Deans went back to New Zealand he's at the top of the (Wallabies coaching) list."

After departing the Waratahs, McKenzie spent time in France coaching Paris based giants Stade Francais, and former Wallabies back and now rugby analyst Rod Kafer believes that it is McKenzie’s experiences that has him so highly rated.

"Ewen has all the characteristics you want as an international coach," he said.

"What better resume and he's had success everywhere he's gone.

"There's not a better example of genuine coaching skill than turning an under-performing team to an over-performing team in a short period of time. It is a rare skill."

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