Deans gets ARU backing before crucial year

Updated December 13, 2012 08:15:23

Australian Rugby Union chairman Michael Hawker has made a passionate defence of the Wallabies' season ahead of a make-or-break year for coach Robbie Deans.

Deans may struggle to push on beyond his contract which finishes in 2013 following a season in which the Wallabies dropped from second to third in the world rankings and played a brand of rugby which delivered just 15 tries in 15 games.

Hawker admitted 2013 shaped as a significant year for Deans and the Wallabies, with the three-Test British and Irish Lions' Australian tour the biggest indicator of success in the coming 12 months.

"I think for coaches every year is make or break," Hawker said on Tuesday.

"That's the nature of coaching. I don't think Robbie takes anything for granted.

"For us, I think everyone in the Australian public is pretty keen to win all the games.

"So is Robbie, and he'll do the best he can to do that. In the board's view we've got every chance of defeating the Lions next year.

"... Next year is a huge year. (The Lions tour) always creates a huge wave of anticipation in this country, seeing the best of the northern hemisphere come here.

"We're pretty keen to try and thump them."

The Wallabies' dour playing style has not hampered participation rates across the country, with the ARU announcing on Tuesday a fourth consecutive year of growth - with player numbers totalling 323,115 in 2012.

Hawker said it was unfair to criticise the Wallabies simply on their record of nine wins, five losses and a draw - pointing to the unprecedented number of injuries which rocked the national team this year.

Playmakers Will Genia, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale all missed significant portions of 2012, as did skipper James Horwill and world-class flanker David Pocock.

"From the Australian Rugby Union we're happy with where the Australian team is. We'd like to have less injuries and I think if didn't have as many injuries we'd have been right up the top," Hawker said.

"... You've got to put the Wallabies performance in context with how many injuries we've had.

"We've had 55 people play for the Wallabies this year which is a pretty broad number of players and so we've had an unusual level of injury rate.

"... You look at some of the international teams (and) if you took Carter and Richie McCaw out in New Zealand you have a different proposition."

So severe was the injury crisis Hawker revealed it had prompted an internal investigation, the result of which was a new process to handle injured players.

"We've actually just approved a better player management process between the Australian Rugby Union and the Super Rugby franchises to make sure that a player's welfare is managed right collectively across those two levels of the game," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 11, 2012 21:48:41

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Deans hopeful about Pocock return

Updated November 24, 2012 20:55:20

Robbie Deans remains hopeful of getting champion flanker David Pocock on the paddock for the final game of the Wallabies' European tour against Wales in Cardiff next weekend.

Pocock has been struggling with a calf strain which has delayed his long-awaited comeback.

The number seven was expected to return in the second Test of the tour against England at Twickenham but suffered a setback training in Paris the week before.

Deans says it's so far so good for Pocock, who hasn't played since he suffered knee ligament damage in the Wallabies' opening Bledisloe Cup match with New Zealand in August. "He's been running this week and hopefully he'll be available to us next week," Deans said.

"We're just being precautionary and I guess we've got the luxury of being able to do that.

"We've got Hoops (Michael Hooper) and Gilly (Liam Gill) and they're both fully fit and so we see no reason to push David."

The Wallabies coach suspects if they didn't have so much cover in the No.7 spot Pocock could have played in the third game of the tour against Italy.

"I suspect if pressed he could have played this week, yes, but if he's not 100 (per cent) you won't see him in Cardiff," he said.

Being so close to making his return and having a late setback has been tough on the ultra-competitive Pocock but Deans said the flanker has handled himself with distinction and put the team first on the tour.

"It's not an easy role to play for him. Generally when he's been fit he's played but he's been great around the group and has been helping a lot with our preparation," Deans said.

In Pocock's absence, Michael Hooper has been outstanding with the New South Wales Waratahs recruit picking up the man-of-the-match award in Australia's 20-14 win over England.

Meanwhile the Wallabies have been busily mounting a case for reserve lock Rob Simmons, whose appeal against the extraordinary eight-week ban he copped for a lifting tackle against France will be heard in Bristol on Tuesday.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, wales, australia

First posted November 24, 2012 14:03:42

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Deans fine with Campese criticism

Updated November 16, 2012 10:39:58

Robbie Deans says he'd gladly have David Campese hand out Wallabies jerseys before a match again despite the champion winger declaring the coach should be sacked for "destroying Australian rugby".

Campese launched a scathing attack on Deans this week, telling the UK newspaper The Telegraph the New Zealander was the "worst thing to happen to Australian rugby".

Deans is under enormous pressure going into the Test with England at Twickenham on Sunday (AEDT) following last weekend's 33-6 loss to France.

The Wallabies have failed to score a try in their past two Tests and have scored just 12 in as many Tests this season.

Deans said on Thursday the general criticism of the team was fair enough under the circumstances.

"We're not happy with our performance either, so it's understandable," Deans said.

"People are entitled to their opinion. It's part of the territory.

"It's great that David's passionate about the game still and particularly the Wallaby jersey. But I really don't want to comment any further."

Campese earlier teed off on Deans.

"Deans has destroyed Australian rugby and I want him to go," said Campese, who scored 64 tries in 101 Tests.

"We've got a team at the moment that can't catch and can't pass.

"Wallaby teams in the past were never like this. Anyone who knows anything about Australian rugby knows what it's famous for - loops, angles, switches, counter-attack, creative play. Where's all that gone? We can't even pass properly.

"I just want him to go. He's the worst thing that has ever happened to Australian rugby."

A classic Wallaby, not Campese, will hand out the jerseys to the team before they take to the field at Twickenham.

Deans said Campese would always be welcome in the dressing room while he was in charge.

"I got Campo to do it in 2008 in Durban. And I would love to have him back," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted November 16, 2012 07:35:37

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Deans expects fearless French press

Updated November 08, 2012 22:42:29

Australia is preparing for France to come out firing in Sunday's (AEDT) Armistice Day Test in Paris to kick off the Wallabies' spring tour of Europe.

Coach Robbie Deans named his starting side on Thursday, having made just a handful of changes to the squad which drew with the All Blacks 18-18 in Brisbane last month.

Waratahs forwards Sekope Kepu and Kane Douglas were promoted to the run-on XV, while Rob Simmons takes Sitaleki Timani's spot on the bench and Berrick Barnes returns from injury as a reserve.

The Test kicks off just 14 hours before one of the country's major commemorations, in which France remembers the cease-fire at the end of World War I.

Deans said he expects nothing less than the best from the French, who have historically risen to the occasion in the corresponding Test.

"There is no doubt that the French will feed off that; they are a young group, and a relatively new group in the formative stages of their development," he said.

"That means they will have no fear, no pre-conceptions about what has gone before, and no doubts about their ability.

"It is a powerful cocktail, and one that we are preparing for."

New IRB trial rules for the Spring Tour allowed Deans to bulk up his bench with two additional props, meaning Reds duo James Slipper and Paddy Ryan will get their chance against France.

Should he make his debut off the bench at the Stade de France, Ryan will become the 13th new Wallaby in 12 Tests this year.

Deans' side arrived in Paris last Sunday afternoon and has had three training runs since then, but the Wallabies coach said a busy schedule meant specific preparation for Les Bleus was difficult.

"Obviously you adjust things a little bit to cater for a particular opposition but we have had the benefit of some continuity leading into this match, which hasn't always been the case for us this year," he said.

"There was a lot of good stuff to come out of our last outing, but there were also plenty of things that we could have done better.

"While the effort of the players couldn't be faulted [on that occasion], the accuracy of our execution failed us at times, and will need to be better for the challenges ahead if we are to achieve the consistency of performance we are seeking."

With injured stars Digby Ioane (knee), David Pocock (knee), Ben Alexander (wrist) and Timani (lower back) all training with the squad this week, Deans said he will soon be spoilt for choice.

"Certainly we have more competition for places now than we have had at times previously, and that's only going to help drive standards and performance," he said.

"The playing group are excited and they are looking forward to the game this weekend.

"The atmosphere at the Stade de France is always fantastic and the crowd vociferous: it's a great place to play the game, and a magnificent experience that none of the players who are fortunate enough to put on a jersey on the weekend will ever forget."

Wallabies side (15-1): Mike Harris, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Pat McCabe, Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe (c), Kane Douglas, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson

Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Paddy Ryan, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Berrick Barnes.

Tags: rugby-union, sport, france, australia

First posted November 08, 2012 19:18:45

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Deans: Door open for Cooper

Updated September 28, 2012 14:43:28

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans maintains the door is still open for Quade Cooper despite the playmaker's ongoing criticism of Australian rugby.

The Australian team continued its build-up for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against South Africa in Pretoria and did not want to let Cooper's latest round of comments become a distraction.

The injured 24-year-old said he was uncertain about his Test playing future unless his concerns were addressed.

When asked in a television appearance on Thursday night if he would have played for the Wallabies if he had not been injured and picked in the side. Cooper said he would not.

"No, like I said, it's the environment there at the moment is one that I don't feel comfortable in and if I don't feel comfortable and if I don't feel that I can give 100 per cent for my country and that yellow jersey, that's a very big problem," he told Fox Sports.

Cooper, who previously described the environment within the Wallabies as "toxic", made it clear how unhappy he was with the current set-up the national team operated under.

"For me to continue to improve as a player and as a person you want to be involved in the best possible environment and I feel that environment is sort of destroying me as a person and as a player," Cooper said.

He said he believed the Wallabies needed to be better looked after and prepared if they were to perform at their best.

Deans was asked if the door was still open and replied: "yes", adding he was open to talking through the issues with the disillusioned player.

"I haven't seen his quotes (from the television show)," Deans said at a press conference in Pretoria.

"We're concentrating on playing a Test.

"It hasn't been a distraction at all, we've had a good week of preparation."

The Queensland Reds player says he would love to honour a three-year deal he agreed to with the Super Rugby franchise earlier this year but whether the deal is ratified by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is out of his hands.

He said he'd been communicating with Deans via text messages since his comments over the weekend, reiterating his spat isn't a personal one between the pair.

But he expressed a further frustration that his talents were being wasted under Deans' current strategies.

"As the five-eighth you'd like to think you've got input into the game plans and sometimes the input goes in one ear and out the other," he said.

Cooper's outburst and his Twitter comment he'd like to play with friend and former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams have re-ignited speculation he could be headed to rugby league, with Williams expected to join the Sydney Roosters next year.

The ARU broke its silence on the issue earlier on Thursday with a brief statement which said they'd written to Cooper about his comments but didn't disclose if he was facing disciplinary action.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted September 28, 2012 08:14:36

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Cooper and Deans on rocks says Connolly

Updated September 24, 2012 17:37:29

Quade Cooper's latest public outburst will make the playmaker's working relationship with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans close to untenable, says former Australia coach John Connolly.

The injured Cooper spoke out on Sunday about a "toxic environment" in the Wallabies camp, saying there were issues that needed to be addressed and a lot of people were afraid to speak up.

Cooper's employer, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), declined to comment on Monday about his extraordinarily frank utterances, which followed an earlier statement that he did not want to be shackled by conservative, safety-first tactics.

But Connolly said the ARU could not afford to ignore them and the five-eighth may have reached a point where it will be difficult to work with Deans, even though Cooper insisted he was "very respectful to Robbie".

"It nearly becomes untenable I think, those types of comments within a team," Connolly said.

"Players will brush it off and say it doesn't mean anything and whatever but it does.

"It's not acceptable to have players going public bagging the coach.

"Whatever the broken relationship is, and there's clearly something wrong, it becomes untenable at that point."

Connolly saw similarities with the breakdown between Deans and another Wallabies playmaker, Matt Giteau, who departed for French rugby last year after his once-leading role dwindled to the point where he was omitted from the 2011 World Cup squad and announced it on Twitter.

Connolly said such falling-outs suggested Deans's man management was not all it could be and players had shown a lack of "respect" for their coach by venting frustrations in public.

However, Australia's 2007 World Cup coach believed Australian rugby had more issues than those in the national squad and repeated his calls for a review into the game's structure and administration.

Connolly said the ARU had to respond to Cooper's comments.

"I don't think they can let it rest, there's no doubt," he said.

"They can't just act as though it didn't happen.

"There's a lot of issues that need to be addressed.

"It does affect the code ... the ARU needs to review the situation because there's little doubt that compared to the other codes we're not as good as we were."

Unavailable for the Wallabies' remaining two Tests in the inaugural Rugby Championship with a knee injury, Cooper has agreed a three-year deal with the Queensland Reds but is yet to come to terms with the ARU.

His outburst has re-ignited discussion over his future within rugby union.

The New Zealand-born star has long been linked with a switch to rugby league and Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael urged the ARU to sort things out with Cooper.

"The Reds have kept their house tidy. These are in-house issues that have to be dealt between Quade and the Wallabies, not the Reds," Carmichael said.

"There's a lot of issues there.

"They (the ARU) need to reconcile their issues with Quade and Quade has to reconcile his issues with them."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted September 24, 2012 17:37:29

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Deans keeping mum on Wallabies' new 10

Updated September 20, 2012 14:12:45

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is keeping quiet on who he has chosen to replace injured five-eighth Quade Cooper but says whether it is Berrick Barnes or Kurtley Beale will not make too much difference.

The second-placed Wallabies were flying out on Thursday for their final two Rugby Championship Tests, against the Springboks in Pretoria on Saturday week and against Argentina in Rosario a week later.

Deans said he had decided on a new playmaker after losing Cooper to knee surgery earlier this week but needed to tell his players first.

"The choices are obvious ... we've got Berrick, we've got Kurtley," Deans said at Sydney airport. "Obviously it will be one of the above.

"We've made the decision, we just haven't communicated it yet.

"Our protocol is to talk to the players before we talk to the public."

Barnes, renowned for his reliability, has strong kicking skills more suited for a conservative field-position game while regular full-back Beale is a more explosive, ball-running number 10.

Utility back Barnes' solid performance in his first Test as a full-back in Saturday's 23-19 win over Argentina would have made the decision even tougher.

But Deans insisted his choice was in no way an indication of the style of game he intended to play to continue Australia's recent dominance over the Springboks, winning seven of the past eight contests.

"I don't think it will make a lot of difference either way," he said.

"As you've seen with the way we structure our game, you'll see both players involved in both roles, so it really doesn't matter."

Australia will be looking to save face in its Rugby Championship campaign and can finish second in the series with wins over both the Springboks and the Pumas.

Under-fire coach Deans would also welcome two wins on the road, but asked if it would alleviate any of the pressure on him in the wake of repeated losses to the world number one All Blacks he said: "No I doubt it."

"There's always pressure, but I like the way you're thinking.

"(Two losses would be) more of the same. It's all part of it."

Injured trio Sitaleki Timani (hamstring), Stephen Moore (hamstring) and Dom Shipperley (finger) were all passed fit to travel while Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan and Western Force winger Nick Cummins were the only uncapped players named in the squad.

Wallabies squad:

Backs - Berrick Barnes, Dom Shipperley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Nick Phipps, Brett Sheehan, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale, Mike Harris, Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins.

Forwards - Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Sitaleki Timani, Rob Simmons, Paddy Ryan.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia, south-africa, argentina

First posted September 20, 2012 10:57:53

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Wallabies rally behind Deans

Updated September 06, 2012 20:49:53

The Wallabies are taking responsibility for the pressure being heaped on coach Robbie Deans, but insist they will not use speculation about his future as motivation for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

There are rumblings that Deans' contract may be prematurely ended if the Wallabies continue to struggle in the Championship, after they slumped to a 10th-straight Bledisloe Cup series defeat with back-to-back losses to the All Blacks.

Prop Ben Alexander denies rumours surrounding Deans' job security will be a factor in Saturday's clash with South Africa in Perth, but made it clear the playing group was rallying behind its coach.

"That criticism of Robbie, it hurts us too because it's how we played and a reflection of us and how we represented our country, and we didn't do a great job," he said.

"We feel a responsibility for the side not performing ... [but] as far as all that speculation goes, it's not a focus of ours.

"Our focus is just going out, playing well and representing our country with pride."

The challenge of turning around their Rugby Championship fortunes got even tougher for the Wallabies on Thursday, with hooker Stephen Moore ruled out of the Springboks clash after suffering a hamstring injury at training.

Alexander admits the Wallabies have been taught some harsh lessons by the All Blacks this year and says the squad is determined to give their supporters the performance they deserved against the Springboks.

"We got stood up by the best side in the world and we've copped that on the chin and we've looked back and they exposed us everywhere," he said.

"Now we get a chance to right those wrongs.

"We're very proud Australians and the country deserves a better performance than what they've had to put up with the last few weeks."

The Wallabies have won their past four matches against the Springboks, including last year's controversial World Cup quarter-final.

But the Springboks enjoy a healthy 3-2 advantage (with one draw) from their six matches against the Wallabies in Perth.

Alexander believes the Springboks are more athletic than usual and sees rookie loose forward Marcell Coetzee as a huge threat at the breakdown due to his big motor and high tackle rate.

"They're probably the most physical side in the world ... but I think this is the most mobile pack they've picked in a long time," he said.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, perth-6000

First posted September 06, 2012 20:47:40

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Deans wants to move past Beale case

Updated July 24, 2012 20:55:07

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says he hopes Kurtley Beale's common assault case can be settled out of court after the matter was adjourned on Tuesday.

The star full-back appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday in relation to the June 8 incident which occurred at a CBD hotel.

Both parties have agreed to proceed with mediation, which means the matter has been adjourned until August 22, and Beale will be free to face the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup opener four days prior in Sydney.

The ARU's independent disciplinary review procedure will not begin until the court process has been completed.

Deans said the step to mediation was a positive sign as he began Australia's Rugby Championship preparations on Tuesday with a training camp in Sydney.

"That's good. It's good to have that clear for now," Deans said of the development in Beale's case.

"There's still a shadow in the background but off the back of that you'd hope it will be resolved hopefully out of court.

"He's been working hard, he's got that rib injury but that's settled so he should be in good shape."

A preliminary training squad gathered to train at Leichhardt Oval on Tuesday, with Deans to name a second training squad for next week as well.

Following the two camps, Deans will settle on his final squad.

Ahead of back-to-back clashes with the All Blacks to begin the Rugby Championship, Deans is looking for inexperienced players to make the most of their time in camp in case they're called upon for the expanded tournament which also incorporates South Africa and Argentina.

Deans admits Queensland's elimination from the first round of the Super Rugby finals last weekend was a setback - with Australian players missing out on big-match opportunities.

However, Deans said the positive was his team would be fresh for the upcoming campaign and players would be injected into club rugby over the next three weeks if required.

"It's catch-22 in many ways, we've had the benefit of play-off rugby in recent times and there's no doubt that's been beneficial for those who are lucky enough to get it and it adds to their confidence and their belief," he said.

"But last year is living proof of the fact that it can also eat into and erode the Wallabies prep. So what we lose in one instance we may gain through having a bit more time."

According to Deans, Waratahs wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner have a lot of work to do fitness-wise to earn their place in the final squad, after spending most of the season injured.

Deans said training form would be crucial in determining whether Quade Cooper or incumbent Berrick Barnes would start at number 10 against the All Blacks.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted July 24, 2012 20:55:07

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Horwill set to miss rest of the season: Deans

Updated June 15, 2012 11:41:42

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has confirmed James Horwill will almost certainly miss the rest of the season with a serious hamstring injury.

Deans told ABC News 24 that his World Cup skipper is unlikely to return after tearing his hamstring during the Reds' Super Rugby win over the Brumbies last month.

"It does look like he's got a long term injury," Deans said.

"It's unlikely he'll play any rugby this year."

Horwill visited a specialist in Melbourne this week and will have further scans on Monday to investigate the extent of the damage.

David Pocock captained the side in recent Tests against against Scotland and Wales but Deans refused to commit to Pocock continuing the role long-term.

"There's just no point in looking beyond each week," Deans said.

"None of us know what's coming in the future.

Pocock captained the side to a shock defeat against Scotland in Newcastle, but recorded his first victory as skipper in the Wallabies' subsequent win over Wales.

The incumbent skipper is once again expected to lead the side against Wales at Docklands in Melbourne on June 12.

"Clearly David's done a great job," Deans said.

"He's responded to the challenge and it came around quickly."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, australia

First posted June 15, 2012 10:53:15

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Deans wary of Welsh threat

Updated May 15, 2012 17:41:44

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said Tuesday he was under no illusion about the danger posed by Wales, admitting the Six Nations champions are fired up and out to prove a point against Australia.

The Welsh, who play the first of three Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane on June 9, were beaten by Australia in the bronze play-off match at last year's World Cup.

It helped condemn them to just one win in their last 16 games against the Tri Nations teams, which as well as Australia include world champion New Zealand and South Africa.

"After winning the Six Nations so impressively, there's no doubt that Wales see this tour as the chance to take the next step," Deans said.

"They were quite vocal about that at the end of the tournament, saying it was time they beat one of the major southern hemisphere nations.

"It was also clear, when we were in Cardiff last December for the James Bevan Trophy Test, that they believe that goal is within their reach."

Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley on Monday named a 38-man training squad for the Australia tour and is keen to see an improvement on his side's dismal record against the big southern hemisphere teams.

Deans said it was an experienced Welsh squad and would be a big challenge.

"The core of the Welsh squad has been together for a long time, and they are used to being successful," he said.

"You only have to look at the settled nature of the squad they have named - there are very few injuries. The players all want to be on this trip. That, in itself, is a statement of their intent."

The Wallabies enjoyed two narrow wins over Wales last year: the 21-18 victory at the World Cup, and a 24-18 success in the one-off Test for the James Bevan Trophy.

As well as three clashes with Wales next month, in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, the Wallabies also face Scotland in a one-off Test at Newcastle, north of Sydney on June 5.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia, wales, united-kingdom

First posted May 15, 2012 17:33:05

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Interview: Robbie Deans

This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.

AEDT = Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time which is 11 hours ahead of UTC (Greenwich Mean Time)

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McKenzie backed as Deans' successor

Updated July 6, 2011 18:31:00

Test great David Campese has called for Ewen McKenzie to replace Robbie Deans as Wallabies coach if Queensland caps its remarkable resurgence with a Super Rugby title.

McKenzie has taken the long-time cellar-dwelling Reds from second last to a home final in two seasons at Ballymore and Campese adamantly believes he deserves to lead Australia after this year's World Cup.

The Australian Rugby Union is in the process of recontracting New Zealander Deans beyond the tournament but the 101-Test winger said it is time to put an Australian back in charge.

Campese made the call on Wednesday as McKenzie was preparing to name his first unchanged 22-man squad of the year to play the Crusaders in Saturday night's decider at a sold-out Lang Park.

The Reds have only once retained the same starting 15 this season, which coincidentally resulted in their thrilling 17-16 win over the Crusaders on May 29, in a good omen for the final.

Campese said McKenzie is the best man for the national job he turned down in late 2005, when he opted to stay on with the New South Wales Waratahs.

Deans appears set to be re-signed for two more years despite a modest winning record of 55.8 per cent, and Australia's record try-scorer believes the ARU should immediately end negotiations if Queensland upsets the seven-time champions.

"If they win, Ewen McKenzie should become the Wallabies coach," he said.

"I know they want Robbie Deans signed but we don't need him.

"I would rather Australia have an Australian coach than sign Robbie Deans again.

"(McKenzie) has taken the Reds from almost last to first so he's definitely got the players playing well and he deserves to be the national coach."

McKenzie lost out when Deans became the first foreigner appointed to the role, replacing John Connolly after the Wallabies were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup.

The former 51-Test prop, who boasts a 70 per cent record with the Reds, had the chance to succeed Eddie Jones as Australian coach after taking the Waratahs to the first of two Super Rugby finals in 2005.

McKenzie lost both deciders against the Crusaders in Christchurch, with the last in 2008 coming after the NSW Rugby Union cut him free at the end of his five-year term.

But he has had far better fortunes toppling the seven-time champions, in charge of the Reds, winning both contests in the past two seasons, including a record 41-20 triumph last year, as well as two other preseason trials.

McKenzie is almost certain to unveil an unchanged 22 on Thursday after winger Luke Morahan failed in his attempts to return from a torn hamstring.

It is likely to see former Melbourne Storm three-quarter Will Chambers retained on the bench to be in line to join Crusaders lock Brad Thorn as the second player to earn the NRL-Super Rugby title double.

Dual international Thorn won three NRL premierships for the Brisbane Broncos (1998, 2000, 2006) before being a part of the Crusaders' 2008 final victory over New South Wales.

Saturday night's final is set to break Australia's 104-year-old provincial attendance record after the remaining 25,000 general sale seats were snapped up on Wednesday morning within 45 minutes.

A capacity Lang Park crowd of 52,000 will eclipse the mark of 49,327 set in 1907 when New South Wales played the All Blacks at the SCG.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, qld, brisbane-4000

First posted July 6, 2011 17:11:00

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Deans tips Reds for Super Rugby title

Posted June 24, 2011 18:37:00

Australia coach Robbie Deans says the factors favour Queensland winning the Super Rugby title and tipped fledgling franchise Melbourne to quickly become a force in the competition.

The first-placed Reds are resting this weekend ahead of hosting a semi-final.

Deans said history favoured Queensland and the second-placed Stormers because of the difficulties of winning on foreign soil, with no team winning back-to-back finals overseas.

"What we've got this year is four sides that have never won the title, but a couple of them are quite experienced," Deans told reporters on Friday.

"The Sharks and the Stormers are two hardened teams."

"The two sides that have the greatest opportunities are the Reds and the Stormers.

"You would have to favour the Reds based on all the elements, history and home ground advantage."

While Melbourne finished last in its inaugural season, Deans predicted a rapid rise for the Victorian team and a change in the balance of power among the three national conferences, after three Australian teams finished in the bottom four of the overall ladder.

"I think this time next year we'll be looking really good across the board and I think some of the other conferences will be just hanging in there.'

Deans suggested some of the Rebels could push for Test selection in the near future, with half-back Nick Phipps and league converts New Zealand-born Cooper Vuna and Jarrod Saffy all drawing praise from the national coach.

Vuna and giant Waratahs lock Sitaleki Timani are also being courted by Tonga.

Deans hinted the 80-Test career of Rebels leader and former Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock may not be over, even though he has not played for Australia in almost two years.

"His ability to defend is certainly something that we're very conscious of, we know that the World Cup is going to be brutal," Deans said.

Another former Wallabies stalwart striving to regain a spot is lock Dan Vickerman, who recently returned to Australia after three years of studying in England.

"He's lost none of his will, he still loves bashing people," Deans joked.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

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Wallabies to feed off Reds' momentum: Deans

Posted June 3, 2011 13:33:00

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes the rampant Queensland Reds' momentum can provide the impetus for Australia to claim this year's Rugby World Cup.

Deans declared the Wallabies could ride off the back of the Reds' Super Rugby success, much the same way South Africa surprised by taking out the 2007 tournament in France.

The catalyst for the Springboks' turnaround four years ago came from the Pretoria-based Bulls' charge to the Super Rugby title, which included a record 92-3 final-round humiliation of the wooden-spoon Reds.

Queensland showed how far it has come last Sunday when Ewen McKenzie's team triumphed in an epic 17-16 victory over the competition-favourite Crusaders in front of a sell-out crowd of 48,301.

Despite the victory coming against his old team, Deans admitted no one walked out of Lang Park happier than himself, as he believed the success and self belief was transferable to the Wallabies' World Cup quest in New Zealand, starting September 10.

"It's key, particularly when you look at our recent history at Super Rugby level or Tri-Nations level," Deans said.

"Somewhere along the line, you have to get started and that's what we're witnessing here.

"We talked about it prior to the season commencing being an important element.

"We have got to build momentum and we have to build belief and that's what we're witnessing in the Reds game."

While no Australian team has lifted the Super Rugby trophy since the Brumbies in 2004, the Wallabies' last major success was in 2001 when Australia took out the Tri-Nations.

The Wallabies' inability to close out second-half leads has been the major Achilles heel under Deans.

But the New Zealand-born coach took great heart from the growing maturity of his Test halves, Will Genia and Quade Cooper, whose leadership and composure in Bledisloe-like intensity led to the Reds' last-gasp success over the Crusaders.

Deans described it as the most memorable match of the year and was most pleased about the table-topping Reds effort to steal it at the death with Cooper's penalty.

While referee Stuart Dickinson's penalty against Richie McCaw was controversial, the Reds had put together a 28-phase attacking play from within their quarter to be in position for the kill.

"The critical thing the Reds were able to do was build pressure to warrant that response," Deans said.

"The Reds took an awful lot of pressure (in the match), but still had enough in the tank in the end to produce some pressure of their own and was rewarded for that.

"It had everything and both sides gave it their all and it was a great insight into what's coming but, most importantly, it was great to see the Reds go toe-to-toe and stand up."

Deans will name an extended 40-man Test squad at the end of the Super Rugby season and Queensland's form is expected to see it become the most heavily-represented team.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000

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Work to do for Wallabies, says Deans

Posted May 31, 2011 20:44:00

Robbie Deans says his exciting Wallabies need to add starch and substance to give themselves a chance of Rugby World Cup glory later this year.

While coach Deans maintained his normal measured approach, Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill was happy to play some mind games and crank up the pressure on tournament hosts and favourites New Zealand.

"The good thing for us is there's no pressure but for the All Blacks there will be plenty," O'Neill said on Tuesday at the Sydney launch of the Wallabies' 2011 season slogan: "One Team 2011".

O'Neill made it clear he still had high expectations of the Wallabies and declared they had the talent to do "extraordinary things."

"We want to finish 2011 as the No.1 rugby nation in the world, we make no apologies for that ambition," O'Neill said.

The ARU boss also made it clear it was about time the Wallabies ended their major tournament drought.

"We have not won the Bledisloe Cup, that mighty piece of silverware, since 2002, we have not won the Tri Nations title since 2001," O'Neill said.

"To say we're overdue for success is an understatement."

New Zealand-born Deans has just a home Test against Samoa and four Tri-Nations matches against the Springboks and All Blacks to shave the rough edges off his exuberant world No.2 ranked side.

Asked what he needed to do to enjoy World Cup success, Deans said: "We did some good things last year, we've got to add some substance to that, some starch.

"I think that you're seeing that through Super Rugby with a number of the individuals.

"The key first of all is to get through Super Rugby.

"Hopefully one of our sides will be successful and then I guess if that is the case, then it's key to ensure that success doesn't create a time lag before they focus in on what's coming next and we get on and start producing some momentum of our own."

Deans could not be coaxed into providing a cheap headline about what it would mean to win the World Cup in the country of his birth.

Deans admitted Queensland's contingent in the first Test of the summer against Samoa on July 17 could be affected if the ladder-leading Reds make it all the way through to the Super final eight days earlier.

"We've got a Test match the following weekend, clearly (they) will have had a lot more rugby than the rest of the (Australian Super Rugby) group, so we'll make those decisions at the time," Deans said.

"It will depend on how the individuals are travelling."

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia

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