Reds Attacking Guru Not Interested In Wallabies Role

Newly appointed Reds assistant coach Jim McKay has shut down speculation linking him with the Wallabies role that Stephen Larkham vacated, saying he is totally committed to helping Queensland rebuild into a Super Rugby franchise.

McKay’s name has been repeatedly mentioned among the candidates to fill the place of Stephen Larkham, who was axed as Wallabies attack coach earlier this week.

However, McKay is relishing his return to the side he helped lift the Super Rugby trophy in 2011 as attack coach under Ewen McKenzie, whose Wallabies staff he joined in 2013.

He respectfully closed down any talk of a Wallabies move.

“Obviously I’ve been (with the Wallabies) before which is a wonderful experience and a really humbling experience,” he said.

“I think there was some speculation but I didn’t take any notice of that, my focus is totally here on the Reds.

“From a personal level, I have a really strong connection with this place and care about this team. I’m just 100 per cent here.”

McKay would not speculate on who he thought would be the best man for the position. And he does not expect to be working under instruction from anyone in the national set-up, despite several of the Reds players being likely to line up at the World Cup later this year.

“I think the diversity in the provinces in Australia – there is fundamental diversity in how the teams play – can be a strength because at the end of the day, you have to be adaptable,” he said.

“But the challenge for the Wallabies is to be clear about how they want to play and then merge the four provinces together – which is always a challenge at that level.”