McKenzie was initially taken aback when informed of Melbourne's announcement, with the coach learning of the move through the media instead of being informed by his departing player.
Earlier in the day, as he named the touring squad for South Africa, McKenzie had said he was still keen on fighting for the signature of Weeks. But with news filtering out of Victoria just after lunch, months of speculation finally came to a grinding halt.
"We've been negotiating with him for three-and-a-half months now. I couldn't get to the bottom of why. I probably still won't understand why because the logic doesn't make sense to me," McKenzie said.
"With a World Cup year coming up, to push through to the Wallabies he was in good shape. I guess he could do it from down there but some might say he's taking a risk with that decision."
I've seen plenty of these things go on. I look at things fairly objectively. It's not a decision I'll probably ever understand but everyone has to make their own lot in life. I understand that. It's his decision," McKenzie said.
"He's going well. Of course it's disappointing. It's not necessarily logical but everyone has to make their own calls in life so we respect that. It's just the way it is. I'm not going to stress about it too much. I'll just look at our options."
