Jim McKay shuts down talk of Wallabies return, loyal to Reds

Thu, Feb 7, 2019, 5:26 AM
Emma Greenwood
by Emma Greenwood

Reds assistant coach Jim McKay has shut down speculation he could be a contender to join the Wallabies set-up, saying he is totally committed to helping Queensland rebuild into a Super Rugby force.

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

But he is relishing his return to the Reds, who he helped to the Super Rugby title in 2011 as attack coach under Ewen McKenzie, whose Wallabies staff he joined in 2013.

As the man who helped shape Will Genia and Quade Cooper into a lethal combination for Queensland and Australia, McKay has runs on the board.

But 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 be drawn on who he thought would be best 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."

The Reds' scoring challenges of the past few seasons might suggest McKay has his work cut out at Ballymore but he is determined to bring back an attacking ethos.

"We'll see the same (school of thought as 2011) and there'll be clear intent," he said.

"We're trying to build this game that can be adaptable, smart, fast and physical but certainly it takes time to build that.

"The players have all been exposed to different programs and different beliefs, so it does take time but the will's there and we've been preparing (well).

"It's a rebuild but it's a solid one. We've got the guys fit - Bryn (Abad, strength and conditioning coach) and his crew have worked really hard on the fitness as a base - and we're starting off with clear foundations and then we can build from there."

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