Ewen McKenzie has resigned as Wallabies coach following their 29-28 defeat to the All Blacks in Brisbane on Saturday.

McKenzie, who was appointed in August 2013, has had a torrid two weeks, with Wallabies staff member Di Patston quitting her job following the SMS scandal involving Kurtley Beale. The coach also had to deny reports that he had an affair with Patston.

The Wallabies have also produced mixed results this year, with a loss to Argentina in Mendoza the low point.

'At 10am this morning I got an email from Ewen with resignation attached. I tried to talk him out of this,' said ARU CEO Bill Pulver. 'What's happened to Ewen over the last two weeks is pretty disappointing. We have a challenge on our hands and the squad leaves for the November tour on Friday without a coach.

'He felt he was going to struggle to retain the level of respect he needed from the playing group and staff.

'There's a group of players here who I still believe is capable of winning the World Cup.

'In the ideal world, we will identify a coach who will take us to the World Cup and beyond.

'Australian rugby has lost a pretty good man today. I was not expecting his decision today, so basically we are right back at the start.'

Jake White, who recently left the Sharks after a season as director of rugby, and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika are the early front-runners to replace McKenzie.

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