For Deans a transition period to move cross after the S14 from the Crusaders is fine, it will enable him to have an independent study of the Aussie S14 players from across the ditch. He will be viewing all the tapes without influence…I liked his statement at the press conference yesterday, “there are no Wallabies, the S14 is the trial period.” And “My first choice team is the team that wants me”.

Fresh eyes will be good as there were a number of players that had good S14 that got looked over by Knuckles.

There’s every channce Deans might be All Blacks coach 2012-15, after helping the Wallabies lift the RWC in 2011, in the backyard of his own country!

Would we wish him ill then? No way, we would wish him all the best. Deans will give to Australia every bit of himself as he has given to Canterbury, the All Blacks as a player & possible future coach.

And you’re wrong. Deans will move to Australia, this being his last year as Canterbury coach. So what if he waits until the end of the S14 to move across? He already knows most of the Aussie players, will see all the S14 teams in action, & will no doubt be in touch with the Aussie S14 coaches & players.

One final thing, for the first non-Australian Wallabies coach, you couldn’t get a greater candidate than Robbie Deans. Irrespective of whether the Wallabies win the RWC 2011 or not, Deans will lift the Wallabies immeasurably. That will be his wonderful legacy.

Its not like Deans has moved to Australia, ever lived in Aust, or showed any independent interest in being the Wallabies coach.

I’ll support him, because that what you have to do as a rugby fan, but I this is a sad thing for Australian rugby.

Re…If Flowers hadn’t run the Wallabys into the ground over 3 years he was in charge, we might not have needed to turn to ‘The best man for the job’.

Can you tell my old man that? He’s gibbering away at the top of the page somewhere…

If Flowers hadn’t run the Wallabys into the ground over 3 years he was in charge, we might not have needed to turn to ‘The best man for the job’. At least Nero fiddled. When he was given the job he got hit up the backside by a rainbow, unfortunately he turned that into crap. Now JON has needed to turn the finances around, the style of rugby around and he’s doing it with a proven formula. The best coach.

Go Robbie Deans. I can’t wait to have some atmosphere again at Stadium Aus watching a W’s team have a red hot go.

Cougar – are you still of the opinion that having a foreign coach is not kosher? How do you feel about non Australian players on the Wallabies? There are plenty of posts on this topic, but if non-Autralian born players were excluded George Gregan would not have played for the Wallabies (among a long and glorious list going back at least 20 years).

As Sheek said, get past it, leap to the 21st century.

The Tri-Nations has become a boring competition for us. The solution? Lose at the World Cup and let Deans coach the Wallabies. So many storylines. So much reason to watch. Can’t wait for Henry vs. Deans.

None of us have a say in where we are born, but we do have a say in where we die.

Most particularly, whether circumstance, opportuninuty, happenstance, or whatever, some people find themselves living their lives out somewhere else.

Deans becoming Wallabies national coach, continues an age old argument, best presented at the club level.

Who’s the more committed club man? The guy who’s been there 10 years, but playing within his comfort zone? Or the guy who signed a 3 year contract, & gives 100% plus for each of those 3 years.

It comes down to the individual. Look past Dean’s nationality. The guy is an absolute professional. When he is done with Australian rugby in 4 years time, he will have left nothing in reserve.

That’s a champion – both on the field, & off!

On the issue of his not being Australian – gee I would hope a bloke pulling on a Wallaby jersey would have enough reasons to be ‘passionate’ about representing his country regardless of the nationality of his coach.

We’ve all bemoaned the internal political problems of Australian rugby in recent years. Lets now applaud a professional decision that seems to serve no particular behind the scenes powerbroker or Greg Growden informant.

Get with the programme. This idea of only an Australian as head coach is outdated. Step into the 21st century, mate.

Our prayers have been answered. Amen to that. Robbie Deans is a total professional. For the next 3 years, he will see himself as an Aussie, whose primary objective will be to make the Wallabies the best rugby team in the world.

And he has the knowledge & empathy to take the Wallabies to another level.

What’s exceedingly interesting about Deans appointment is he would have been studying Australian player weaknesses for years and now he has the opportunity to apply this knowledge to strengthen these players…I expect the players will welcome a coach with tips to improve their game. Should prove be very interesting couple of years. I’m looking forward to 2008 rugby…S14 15 Feb start…only 2 months.

On another note of interest, S14 first week game Crusaders vs. Brumbies in Christchurch perhaps without Deans and new ELVs. Brumbies won the last match in Canberra. Will he choose fellow NZer Lam as his assistant? We could have two NZers steering the Wallabies…Will Deans get Lote scoring tries again, I hope so…he will be great for the young Wallabies…

What’s exceedingly interesting about Deans appointment is he would have been studying Australian player weaknesses for years and now he has the opportunity to apply this knowledge to strengthen these players…I expect the players will welcome a coach with tips to improve their game. Should prove be very interesting couple of years. I’m looking forward to 2008 rugby…S14 15 Feb start…only 2 months.

On another note of interest, S14 first week game Crusaders vs. Brumbies in Christchurch perhaps without Deans and new ELVs. Brumbies won the last match in Canberra. Will he choose fellow NZer Lam as his assistant? We could have two NZers steering the Wallabies…Will Deans get Lote scoring tries again, I hope so…hee be great for the young Wallabies…

Assistant coach…OK. Head Coach? The ARU should hang their head in shame.

Think of Deans as a Consultant, with JON as the representative. It all makes sense.

The ball was in the ARU’s court to secure one of the best coaches in the world – with a wonderful record of winning and developing players. Do we not take the opportunity, leave the game to ruin…appoint second rate coaches…on the basis that the best candidate isn’t an Aussie?

This was the right move for so many reasons. Well done the ARU.

Or do we open up positions of power in politics to those who have “the best credentials” in terms of qualifications, experience and results?!?!?! Does the Labor Party recruit the Swedish environment minister because they’ve done a great job with climate change in Sweden? Does the Liberal Party recruit the Swiss foreign affairs minister because their historical diplomacy has been the envy of other nations?