Deans happy, but wants Wallabies to back it up

 

By , 11 Sep 2009 Samantha Broun is a Roar Rookie

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Never mind the result, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans just wants his young side to back up their brilliant Tri Nations performance against South Africa with an even better showing against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday week.

The Wallabies finally gave Deans – and wavering fans – something to smile about when they toppled the previously unbeaten Springboks 21-6 in Brisbane on Saturday night to record their first victory of the series.

But Deans says he now wants to see his charges back up their breakthrough performance against a hungry New Zealand side in the third Bledisloe Cup Test.

And that doesn’t necessarily mean coming out on top on the scoreboard.

“Essentially they’ve taken a step (up) in the way they’ve been playing, if we revert there’s nothing gained essentially – and that’s more about the way we’re playing than win, loss,” Deans said on Thursday.

“If we do maintain that momentum, then it’s going to make it a lot harder for the All Blacks to achieve an outcome which they’ll want.

“We’re not hung up on the outcome, we are hung up on backing up with a decent performance. And if that achieves the outcome, then well and good.”

The Wallabies mentor praised his side’s growing belief in themselves and pointed to a steely determination displayed by the Wallabies after they had three tries disallowed against the world champions.

While Deans gave new halfback Will Genia and flanker David Pocock praise for their impressive run-on debut performances, he was equally impressed with other fresh-faces within the group when faced with repeated disappointment.

“The blokes who probably pushed on, who aren’t that experienced at this level, took a step in terms of belief,” Deans said.

“Getting over three times and being denied three times, particularly for a young group … it would have been easy for that group to have dipped their heads and thought, well, it’s not their day.

“But they wanted more than that – so that hasn’t been there before – and we want it to stay.”
Deans credited the Wallabies victory to their ability to push the Springboks out of their comfort zone and play what was in front of them.

It will be an altogether different task when they take on the All Blacks.

“It’s a week to week proposition, the All Blacks will have observed and they’ll come up with some ideas of their own,” Deans said.

“The good thing is the players stayed connected to the game, they were prepared to carry the ball and carry it out of their own end, where as previously they just would have kicked, and not even looked and seen.
“It’s a step in the right direction. We’re really pleased with that effort. Now we want to back it up.

Injured Wallabies Lachie Turner and Nathan Sharpe (both ribs) did not take part in training on Thursday but a decision is yet to be made whether they will make the trip to Wellington.

Rocky Elsom also sat out training as part of managing the workload on his knee.

© AAP 2012
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