Horwill: McKenzie has bright future

Wallaby captain James Horwill believes Ewen McKenzie will be as successful in his new role as Wallaby coach as he was at Super Rugby level.

McKenzie was on Tuesday confirmed as Wallaby coach after the resignation of Robbie Deans in the wake of Australia's series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

Horwill, who played under McKenzie during the latter’s historic title-winning tenure as Reds boss, said the former Wallaby prop has a bright future ahead of him as an international coach.  

"He's a very intelligent coach that looks at the game differently," Horwill told ABC Grandstand Sport.

"That's something that has been really impressive that I've found with him is his ability to change game styles and the way we play suited to different opposition.

"Obviously Test rugby is different to Super Rugby but I feel he has got the ability to do that with the coaching structure and the way he is going to coach the team."

With Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper looking set to return to the Test stage under McKenzie, Horwill said the new coach is bound to back players who best suit his gameplan.

"I'm sure he has got his own ideas on players," he said.

"I think it will pretty much be a clean slate based on all players … I'm sure not much that has gone before will count and it will be all about what he has seen and what he's impressed with and what he wants, what game style he wants to play.

"I think he will bring an understanding of the way we want to play and how we want to play. I think there will be no grey areas in what is expected on the field and off it."