Moore developed a "strong relationship" with McKenzie and said the Australian rugby fraternity needed to support the World Cup winner during this tough time.

McKenzie had installed Moore as captain for the three-Test series against France in June.

Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second minute of the opening Test.

Moore was a regular in the Wallabies team when McKenzie took over in July last year.

"In that period when I was captain, I know it was quite short, but we developed a strong relationship and I really enjoyed working with Ewen," Moore said.

"I thought he had a lot of offer as a coach and as a person, so I certainly learnt a lot from him in the short amount of time I was involved, not just as captain, but over the last 12 months.

"I'd like to think that relationship will continue in whatever he does next, but as I said, it's certainly a disappointing end for a guy that put a huge amount into Australian rugby as a player and as a coach."

Moore found out about McKenzie's decision when he spoke with several Wallabies players after their 29-28 loss to the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Moore sent McKenzie a text message thanking him for his contribution to the Wallabies and intends to speak with him in the next couple of days.

"I think everyone's a little bit shocked and sad about what happened," Moore said.

"I spoke to a few of the boys after the Test last night and they said Ewen had told them in the sheds that he decided to resign.

"They were certainly shocked at that news and I think it was a bit of a strange night because I thought the boys played so well."

Moore said it was important to remember McKenzie's immense contribution to Australian rugby.

As a player, McKenzie was a part of Australia's World Cup-winning team in 1991 before translating that success to coaching, leading the Queensland Reds to their first Super Rugby championship in 2011.

"I think it's important, even though he's decided to move on, that everyone gets around Ewen and supports him because he's been a great Wallaby, he's won a World Cup as a player and you can easily forget that in all this," Moore said.

"It's important we support him in this time and

"I'm sure he didn't want it to end this way but that's what's happened, so we need to give him all the support he needs."

Moore didn't want to comment about the potential candidates to succeed McKenzie as Wallabies coach.