McKenzie denies affair

Editor

Australia coach Ewen McKenzie has stated at a press conference that his relationship with team business manager Di Patston is “professional”.

Australia head coach Ewen McKenzie has stated at a press conference that his relationship with team business manager Di Patston is “professional”.

McKenzie also stressed that his position with the Wallabies has not been compromised after a nightmare few weeks for the international side.

Two investigations into alleged misbehaviour by Kurtley Beale towards Patston are currently ongoing ahead of their fixture with New Zealand.

Meanwhile there are also reports circulating online that McKenzie is in a relationship with Patston, who is a former colleague at the Reds.

“I’ve got a professional relationship with her and I refute that,” McKenzie said in response to that question before flatly denying squad tension.

“I don’t believe her appointment has caused angst.”

Team business manager Patston is currently on stress leave as the Wallabies look to repair off-field damage in order to go into Bledisloe III against the All Blacks in a united front.

“I don’t think I have a divided camp. I know there’s been lots of talk in the newspapers and everyone’s got an opinion, but I know the playing group,” he added at a difficult time.

“I’ve been open and frank in my time so if there’s an issue, obviously we’ll flesh them out.

“I became aware of the existence of the text messages in Buenos Aires. I know the content, I haven’t seen the photos.

“When I became aware of it I forwarded the information on, then she obviously left because of stress and the way she felt about the environment and then it was left to the integrity unit as we advised at the time.”