Deans slays the Wallaby Demons
Roar Guru
By LeftArmSpinner, 2 Dec 2008 LeftArmSpinner is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, development, Gregan, Rugby Union, Spring Tour, Wales, wallabies, Wallabies coach
Related coverage
Robbie Deans has been the Wallabies coach for fourteen games now. In that time the Wallabies have won nine and lost three games, all by five or less points.
The Wallabies have won four away games from eight played. Of the fourteen played, seven have been against the best teams in the world, the All Blacks and the Boks, for a total of three wins.
The Wallabies are learning how to hang tight and win close games, even when sometimes outplayed by the opposition. The Demon is in the process of being slaughtered.
There have been twelve new players in 2008. These players have been well chosen and all displayed potential for the next Wallabies resurgence.
Deans has given them plenty of game time. They have slain the Gregan Demon that young players can’t be trusted and take time to acclimatise to international rugby.
The Wallabies now have depth in all positions. The scrum is now finding parity with all other leading international packs. That 2005 Demon is slain.
The poor fitness of the Australian Super 14 squads and the lack of preparation time between the Super 14 and international seasons delayed the essential improvements to player stamina and fitness until later in the season.
Last weekend against Wales, they were still full of running in the 81st minute.
The 60 minute game Demon is slain.
The Wallabies renowned defence, after a few hiccups, has transitioned from the highly successful Muggleton-era to a more flexible style.
The breakdown work is becoming a strength. The ‘Nancy boy’ Demon is progressively being slain by players with mongrel and better judgment of when to seek the turnover.
Team morale and culture have, and continue to, undergo significant and much needed change on and off the field. The coach is patient with the youngsters. The Demon that decrees that players must be treated as children, heavily scripted, and not trusted to play the game in front of them has been slain.
The State of Union is not perfect.
The backline rarely functions as an attacking unit, particularly from scrums, despite the quality and speed of its component parts. Having forwards in the way in phase play doesn’t help.
The travel Demon has not yet been slain, but it is bleeding profusely.
The team still loses concentration and wanders into and out of games. It is yet to really “click” in all departments at the same time.
The tactical kicking still lacks purpose, accuracy and an effective kick chase.
The youngsters are still learning and making mistakes in the process.
The Super 14 teams must support and co-ordinate with the national coach and team.
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Rugby Union articles
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Will South African rugby force a Super 21 by 2018? (172)
- Brumbies 2012: New coach, new players, new attitude (128)
- Dan Parks and the unsolved questions of expat rugby (61)
- Pocock set to be named new Force skipper (56)
- Can the ‘Tahs win the battle after losing the Waugh? (51)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Queensland ready for Super challenge
- Australian teams at Super disadvantage
- Foley excited about Samoan rugby challenge
- Force rugby coach praises his pack
- The real story of how John O’Neill turned Manchester City down (3)
- Wales’ Davies banned for ‘tip tackle’ (3)
- Graham Henry’s rugby future confirmed (13)
- Wales show Southern Hemisphere how to play running rugby (20)
- What opening matches of Six Nations taught us (16)
- Will Super Rugby crowds continue their slide? (198)
- Clinical Chiefs cost rusty Rebels in Corio (9)
- Six Nations shows rugby is a parochial game at heart (5)
- Goose’s Super Rugby up-and-comer XV for 2012 (29)
- What does the future hold for the Six Nations (50)
- Explore:
- All Blacks, development, Gregan, Rugby Union, Spring Tour, Wales, wallabies, Wallabies coach
Gruffalo said | December 2nd 2008 @ 7:18am | Report comment
Well said.
One further aspect I’m hoping Deans emphasises – ball in hand. We have a large mobile forward pack that is quick to the breakdown, especially with Smith and Waugh going in like missiles. This should give the backs confidence to run the ball more, knowing they will be supported if they hit the deck.
I simply abhor watching our guys simply kick away valuable possession they worked so hard to win.
Arky said | December 2nd 2008 @ 8:24am | Report comment
Well written – many demons slain and as suggested many more bleeding profusely. The wallabies have come a long way from a season ago – and they have built through hard work and good coaching a solid base on which to build further. Depth has increased immensely and attitude has been transformed. There is much work to be done but all bodes well for the season ahead.
Rickety Knees said | December 2nd 2008 @ 10:10am | Report comment
Well done leftie – your best post thus far. Deans has confirmed that he is the total package – great coach, great people manager and great ambassador for the game. He has included coaches in his training sessions and shown a generosity of spirit rarely seen in this day and age.
It will be interesting to see the Australian coaching and playing styles in the next S14.
Even looser said | December 2nd 2008 @ 10:33am | Report comment
Well balanced article. No doubt Robbie Deans has done a great deal for Oz Rugby and we are indebited to him for getting the Wallabies on track again.
As you say there’s been good solid progress but there’s still much to be done yet before the Wallabies can make their fans happy with consistently good performances from kick off to final whistle.
Have to agree that ‘ball in hand’ is an obvious one to fix. We’re just so much more effective with the ball than with the boot. Sure mix it but at present we’re too predictable (kicking as our first option) and not very good at it anyways.
Rickety Knees – Do you think the Oz S14 coaches should be working more with Robbie to develop their own team structures in a way that will gel when the Wallabies play? Or perhaps it’s just more a case of working on fitness, skills & trying to win the S14 without any thought of the National team? I feel we’re in a good time to try a few coordinated smart things, what with 3 new S14 coaches (& Mitchell open to suggestions), Robbie as the new Wallabies coach & John O back at the helm. Just seems that the stars are aligned for once.
Craig said | December 2nd 2008 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Based on incorrect assumptions;
‘Robbie Deans has been the Wallabies coach for fourteen games now. In that time the Wallabies have won nine and lost three games, all by five or less points.’
Wallabies have lost 4 games. Three of which were by 5 or less (Wales, NZ in HK, NZ in Brisbane).
Do we not remember Eden Park (39-10) and Joburg (53-8)?
Besides the win against the English, the NH tour cannot be viewed as succesful. To say the scrum demons have been laid to rest is perhaps a bit premature. There was a push over try against France (first I have seen in international rugby in years), and the number of free kicks and penalities given at scrum time is high. If we base this assumption on the game against a very weak English side, then yes.
‘The Wallabies now have depth in all positions’.
Do you really belive this? We saw how the Wallabies were shaken when Mortlock left the field against the Welsh. That is not a sign of depth.
ohtani's jacket said | December 2nd 2008 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
The Wallabies lost five times this season. I like the way you guys forget the losses.
Reg said | December 2nd 2008 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
what a fantastic undefeated season by the Wallabies this season. Its a pity we only played the All Blacks once however. And when will get a shot against the best team in the NH, the Welsh?
Worlds Biggest said | December 2nd 2008 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
I agree with some of this article but not everything. The away losses to NZ and SA were abysmal particularly in SA. Yes we have made positive steps in certain area’s but once again the issue of inconsistency continues to lurk. I don’t think we are as smart on the Field as we think we are. I certainly don’t agree with ” depth in all positions “. We are short of quality props, genuine blindside flankers, Number 8′s, halfbacks and centres. I am sure this situation will improve in time. Dingo has done a good job but we annointed him a little early I think. Let’s see how the team progresses first.
Howi said | December 2nd 2008 @ 1:05pm | Report comment
Rather than having depth as such I am prepared to conceed that the POTENTIAL for depth is there. A couple of positions cannot be manned adequately unless all players are fit and on deck. For example, Matt Giteau adequately fills the 10 spot and Barnes can be called upon, but Quade and Beale are but waiting in the wings. (Beale seems to be the forgotten player of 2008) So the potential is there but not all 4 players could attest to being Test Match standard all of the time. Likewise with a couple of other positions. I like the fact that we have AACooper, Mitchell and Hynes available for fullback, but all three players need more work and match experience. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – keep your eye on Hynes. This Rookie of the Year I believe is in line for many more accolades to come.
Deans has certainly got the team pointed in the right direction and is assembling all his pieces nicely. I long for the day when the Wallabies will be truly respected and feared such as they were in 2000 at the end of the MacQueen era. Although it is hard to tell, I gather that MacQueen and Deans share an ability to develop rapport and trust with the players. They are rock solid and add stability to the team. Eddie was a great coach in many respects but he fired from the hip a little and was a little eccentric and that doesn’t add stability. Connolly admitted to being there for a short time regardless of whether it was a good time. Deans and MacQueen also appear to have the long term goal in mind and know that the hard yards now are a means to that. Maybe Dwyer was also in this category? Alan Jones – don’t think so. What if he’d got the job? Where would we be now?
Gruffalo said | December 2nd 2008 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Howi
“Eddie was a great coach in many respects”.
Please explain – in which respects? I wasn’t happy with Australia searching for a non-Australian coach – but, where Eddy’s concerned, I’d hire an Eskimo and an Inca to do the job.