Ewen McKenzie will remain Wallabies coach, says Australian Rugby Union
Top official and players come to defence of besieged coach in wake of Kurtley Beale texting scandal
Australia rugby boss Bill Pulver on Monday gave his support to besieged Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie before this weekend's Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks.
Pulver was responding to reports that a coaching change may be imminent in the turmoil surrounding the Kurtley Beale-Di Patston texting scandal.
"I can confirm the ARU [Australian Rugby Union] has not had any conversations with any other coaches regarding the Wallabies coaching position," Pulver said.
I can confirm the ARU has not had any conversations with any other coaches regarding the Wallabies coaching position
"Ewen is coaching the team this weekend and next Friday and he will board the plane with the team for the spring [European] tour, and is contracted to Australian Rugby to lead the Wallabies to next year's Rugby World Cup."
McKenzie has been drawn into the tumult. Last week, he rejected rumours about his relationship with business manager Patston, who has resigned from her post following a mid-flight argument with Beale during last week's trip to Argentina.
Beale was suspended from the Argentina game over the argument, and was later barred indefinitely after the emergence of "deeply offensive text messages" concerning Patston.
Reports said McKenzie retained the support of his Wallabies squad following a clear-the-air team meeting to address the fallout from the scandal. Team vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper said he wanted the coach to keep his post.