Pulver: Battered Wallabies can win World Cup

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Bill Pulver

Pulver and skipper Michael Hooper fronted the media in Brisbane on Sunday morning less than 12 hours after coach Ewen McKenzie told the team he was walking away from the job.

The pair were grilled on a range of issues including:

-      The real reason for McKenzie's sudden departure.

-      Why the players lost respect for the coach.

-      Di Patston's role in McKenzie's demise.

-      McKenzie's replacement for the spring tour.

-      Whether both Pulver or the players feel responsible for McKenzie's downfall.

The 13-minute press conference at the team hotel began with statements from Pulver and Hooper wishing McKenzie well and praising the Wallabies' performance in Saturday's 29-28 Bledisloe Cup loss to the All Blacks.

A defiant Pulver was strangely bullish about the Wallabies' recent performances despite overseeing one of the most tumultuous periods in Australian rugby.

"Last night we saw a performance from the Qantas Wallabies that in my opinion showed that we have a team capable of winning the Rugby World Cup in 2015," Pulver said.

"... I think it's important to remember that they had won seven games in a row, they had a game against South Africa that if they had managed to finish off the last 10 minutes they would have been ranked number two in the world.

"... Really apart from one game which I would describe as an aberration, the game at Eden Park, there was one point in last night's game away from them being undefeated in Australia this year.

"So in many ways there's a lot to like about the improving prospects of this team over the last 12 months."

Hooper, who twice failed to pledge his support for McKenzie in recent days, thanked the fallen coach for his contribution and declared his team remain united.

But mystery still surrounds the real reason for McKenzie's decision to fall on his sword.

In his letter of resignation McKenzie claimed he had lost the respect of the playing group, a claim Hooper denies.

"I don't think he lost the respect of the players, to be honest," Hooper said.

"Last night's game shows that he didn't lose the respect of the players.

"He really showed what he's worth in the back-end of the week and we played for him. We played for him."

Hooper added when asked if the players bear any blame for the coach's demise: "Look, I don't think so. As a playing group we were able to bond in the last two weeks and get a strong playing group and leadership group there and get a good relationship with the staff."

Meanwhile, Pulver admitted he could have done more to support McKenzie during his brief 15-month tenure which yielded 11 wins and one draw from 22 Tests.

The chief executive is hopeful of appointing a replacement before the squad leaves for the Spring tour on Friday but insists he hasn't spoken to any potential candidates.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is the front runner ahead of South African Jake White.

"I did not speak to any coach about the option of taking up the coaching role," Pulver said.

"... I've got a lot of work to do in the next couple of days. The great challenge we've got is the team leaves on Friday and I would love to think we're a chance to find somebody who can actually get on the plane with them.

"But if that doesn't happen we will put an interim structure in place so there will be a solution and I'm hoping it's the ideal solution."

Pressed on whether Cheika is among the candidates he will approach in the coming days, Pulver replied: "All I can say is I've got a list of options in mind and I've got a lot of work to do.

"I did not expect Ewen McKenzie to resign yesterday. I found out at 10 o'clock and I had had no conversations with any other coaches about this prospect."

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