Unlike many here I was - still am - a Robbie Deans supporter. It isn't a friendly website to those that are, but there you are. I firmly believe the man is a talented rugby coach, an extremely hard worker, and a genuine gentleman who with decency from those around him could have seen us go into the RWC with a real prospect of winning. Hell, he all but achieved that last time notwithstanding the naysayers.
So it has been with no small sense of irony that I have seen the studied media manager McKenzie who played a role, if not a major one, in Dean's demise, suffer the same fate at an accelerated pace and at the hands of a player Deans had tried to nurture after that player's appalling behaviour at the Rebels.
I also had a low opinion of McKenzie's handling of the Dublin incident. I felt he was making an example of players who had done nothing of any note wrong simply to flex his muscles.
And I can't say I agree with Egerton going either. But, I did agree with the need for the coach to have control of these things. The ARU/Nucifora undermining of Deans had been nothing short of appalling and it was only right that McKenzie as Head Coach have the control over these things.
What I have seen in the past two weeks, the determined, continued, destabilisation and destruction of a coach who doesn't deserve it at the hands of players, agents, media and agenda wielders in NSW has been appalling. All over a foolish player who anyone with common sense can see needs to go.
Ewen has conducted himself with dignity at all points and I'm sorry to see him go. I won't, however, be sorry to see Beale go. Or any other player who can't see the bigger picture that is Australian rugby.