Richie McCaw side-swipes Robbie Deans
Columnist By David Lord, 10 Oct 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert
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- All Blacks, Richie McCaw, robbie deans, Rugby Union
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New Zealand All Blacks captain Richie McCaw. AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville
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Richie McCaw didn’t do Wallaby coach Robbie Deans any favours yesterday when the All Black skipper launched his autobiography, The Open Side.
Deans coached McCaw at the Crusaders during his record setting five Super titles from seven finals.
McCaw described Deans as intransigent, and not able to delegate.
Damning.
“Robbie doesn’t appear to want to be challenged by his assistants and won’t allow the kind of full-on debate that Ted (Sir Graham Henry) encouraged with (Wayne) Smith and (Steve) Hansen.
“Robbie’s approach is to say – “This is what we are doing” – then convince people that’s the way it’s got to be.
“He’s very good at it.
“When you look at the record of Robbie’s assistant coaches, there’s quite a lot of turnover and fallout,
“Robbie’s intransigence and relunctance to delegate might have been a factor, and it’s tempting to draw the conclusion that if Robbie has a strong assistant coach, the assistant won’t last long.
“And if he gets one that lasts, he’s not that strong”.
McCaw didn’t miss, which begs the question why was he so savage?
Is he shoring up Steve Hansen’s job as the new All Blacks coach after Sir Graham in case Deans stands against Hansen in the future?
Or was there some long-lingering bitterness between McCaw and Deans that was never evident when they were conquering the Super scene in tandem?
Time will answer those questions.
But for the moment, Deans needs McCaw’s spray like a hole in the head, especially as Deans would be feeling understandibly bouyant after his men-in-gold defied the odds to beat the Pumas 25-19 in Rosario last Sunday to finish second on the Rugby Championship table, and regain their world number two ranking from the Boks.
That was a big night for the Wallabies, and none more so than Deans, who has suffered many sleepless nights over the huge injury toll this season that has seen 38 Wallabies in action in just 10 Tests.
He is effectively down to the third tier of selection possibilities. And depth isn’t one of Australian rugby’s strengths.
But McCaw has given ammunition to the mounting number of rugby fans who want Deans sacked. I repeat, I’m not one of them.
Many of the knockers stretch back to day one in 2008 because he’s a Kiwi, and it wouldn’t matter how well Deans did, those knockers would still be baying for his blood.
The next assignment will be the toughest of the four internationals remaining to see out 2012 – the All Blacks on the 20th at Suncorp.
That Test, and the three against England, Wales, and France on the spring tour, will decide Deans’ fate for the British and Irish Lions tour next year – the last of his current contract with the ARU.
I’m predicting Robbie Deans will still be at the Wallaby coaching helm to do battle against compatriot Warren Gatland who will be coaching the Lions.
No matter what Richie McCaw thinks.
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- All Blacks, Richie McCaw, robbie deans, Rugby Union
October 10th 2012 @ 1:55am
Bono said | October 10th 2012 @ 1:55am | Report comment
Very unlike McCaw to be so damning of an individual,especially in public. I read Henry’s book and there were hints in that book that the Canterbury players were not too happy with Deans and used it as an extra motivation not to loose to the wallabies.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:01am
Johnno said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:01am | Report comment
Ouch it is becoming more and more clear Robbie Deans has bad communication skills. And an inability to connect with senior players. Is Deans a control freak some may say in the John Mitchell style who Deans was Mitchell’s assistant at the AB’S. And a friend too.
Henry is a master communicator and match day coach. Everyone in NZ loves Ted universally whether it be in Auckland , or in the south Islands. For those that don’t know Ted is actually a cantebury boy like Deans. Henry was born in christchurch , went to christucurch boys high, was a good circketer played 1st class cricket in NZ. Went down to Otago University and got a degree down there, then ended up at Auckland grammar. So he is a south Island man like Deans. And Mccaw is an Otago boy too born and bred who moved to crusaders for rugby reasons.
Henry has always had the ability to get the best out of pacific islander players to eg SBW, Nonu, Mils etc. He has always Ted spoken glowingly about pacific islander rugby,and been a big supporter of pacific islands rugby always talking in glowing terms about encouraging pacific islands development as rugby nations. So basically Ted’s arability to the many different rugby cultures in NZ, form Auckland to the South Islands Henry has had the common touch loved never loathed. Where as Deans as shown by Mccaw’s comments and Deans relationship with some wallabies and more than one eg Giteau, Mortlock, Dunning, Al Baxter, senior wallabies in other words , and in NZ seems to have the ability to be somewhat divisive. And ted Henry;s ability to unlock pacific island talant eg Toeava, Hose gear etc and his ability to connect with pacific island talant and his support for pacific island rugby, all these factors combined showed why he was the better coach than Deans for NZ job. Plus his good relationship with steve Hansen unlike deans who had a confusing fall out. And Henry as Mcaw points out had clear direction about his assistants, and is a better match day coach than Deans. Henry was loved in the NH too at wales , and got the Lions job as well for his popularity and effort and making welsh rugby stronger.
So Mccaw was right in choosing Henry, the cynics some out there say he got lucky with the ref calls getting more of the tough 50/50 calls in the final and was 1 point away between being torn apart in the media and Deans fans and NZ will say Deans should of been given the job, but that is just cynics. Henry and Mccaw in the final and in the world cup were the driving force to winning, .
October 10th 2012 @ 3:52am
Josh said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:52am | Report comment
Actually, there are plenty of people, especially down south, who can’t stand Ted. Even with the RWC win, I would hesitate to say he is universally loved. Agree that Deans has problems with communication though.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:11am
The Grafter said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:11am | Report comment
And in the Wellington/lower North Island regions, with or without a WC.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:23am
nickoldschool said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:23am | Report comment
interesting Josh and Grafter. any particular reasons for that? his style, personality?
October 10th 2012 @ 9:27am
Happy Hooker said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:27am | Report comment
Graham Henry? Personality?
October 10th 2012 @ 9:39am
The Grafter said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:39am | Report comment
To my knowledge Nick there’s several reasons.
The ‘anti-Auckland’ syndrome (regardless of Henrys south Island connection, he is considered an Aucklander).
The ‘school-teacher/Principal’ like demeanor.
The pre-07 WC statement of ‘I will stand by my results’ then reapplying and getting another four years (2 years initially) after NZ’s worst ever performance when others (Warren Gatland for eg) couldnt get a look in.
The fact he has the media eating out of his hand.
The superior ‘I m retiring to Waiheke Island’ now Ive won the cup then his ego kicking back in with the Blues and Argentina.
The knighthood.
I dont necessarily agree with the aboe, but am aware this is why alot dont think much of him.
October 10th 2012 @ 10:25am
nickoldschool said | October 10th 2012 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Thanks a lot for that Grafter.
October 10th 2012 @ 12:32pm
Chivas said | October 10th 2012 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Add to the fact the AB’s actually lost the world cup. He had already had the time and didn’t just fail, but failed horribly. Screwing up in a RWC on paper we should have owned should have been enough in many peoples eyes. I think people were hoping to ride into the NZ world cup on the back of a win. Not the first time we have lost a WC we should have won, but a coach has never been kept on after it.
And add to that he was an Auckland grammar school coach and everyone in Auckland hates grammar…
October 10th 2012 @ 6:23am
Jeff said | October 10th 2012 @ 6:23am | Report comment
” And Mccaw is an Otago boy too born and bred who moved to crusaders for rugby reasons.”
Where are you from Johnno.Are you a Kiwi.Because even an Aussie like me knows the following facts.McCaw was born and bred in the Hakataramea Valley which is in South Canterbury a part of the Crusaders franchise.Living on a farm in a very remote area his parents obviously would need to send him to a boarding school for his secondary education and the school chosen was Otago Boys High in Dunedin.
When he left school at 18 he attended Lincoln University [just outside Christchurch].Lincoln is a University very popular with young farmers as it offers a large number of degree courses based around agriculture.
At Lincoln he played rugby and was selected for Cantebury age teams,then Canterbury and the Crusaders.
The rest is history.
So every part of your statement re McCaw is wrong.
I won’t comment on the rest of your comment but suffice it to say if it displays the same lack of accuracy it is not worth reading.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:02am
Jerry said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:02am | Report comment
Wait, he was born in Oamaru and went to primary school in Kurow which are both in North Otago.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:02am
Darwin Stubbie said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:02am | Report comment
‘….. but suffice it to say if it displays the same lack of accuracy it is not worth reading.’ ….. Talk about hit the nail on the head
As for the main article …. I’d hardly say he’s lined Deans up and ripped him a new one ….. McCaw would be the best placed player to provide a comparison on Deans v Henry – given the history it’s hardly surprising he was going to give viewpoint ,,, and basically nothing new and really nothing damning …. somehow I can’t see Deans being upset over what is basically a true critique of him
October 10th 2012 @ 7:44am
Pogo said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:44am | Report comment
“So every part of your statement re McCaw is wrong.”
Jeff please get your facts right before being so condescending to other posters, Richie McCaw is in fact from North Otago
October 10th 2012 @ 9:52am
Jeff said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:52am | Report comment
See my reply and get your facts right.
I suppose you are another ignorant Kiwi who can’t read a map.
The Hakataramea Valley is on the north side of the Waitaki River in South Canterbury and the farm Richie McCaw was brought up on until he went to Boarding School is there.
As I have been to his farm [visiting his parents before he was famous]I think I know what I am talking about.
October 10th 2012 @ 10:42am
Ryan said | October 10th 2012 @ 10:42am | Report comment
Jeff Richie was born in Oamaru which is in Otago and he did the majority of his education within Otago.
The Hakataramea valley is actually a little clouded as two provinces claim it. North Otago and South Canterbury.
One thing you all must note is that both North Otago and South Canterbury are seperate provinces and Rugby Unions in their own right.
So McCaw is no more an Otagoan than he is a Cantabrian.
He is for all intensive purposes a North Otagoan / South Cantabrian
October 10th 2012 @ 2:30pm
Amateur Hour said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
I thought he was born to a virgin on a mountain top somewhere in the south island and carried to his parents farm by two white doves…..
October 10th 2012 @ 2:34pm
Jerry said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
He was actually born from an egg on a mountain top. The funkiest flanker to ever pop.
October 10th 2012 @ 4:51pm
Riccardo said | October 10th 2012 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
Classic Jerry.
Bad rhyme but classic nevertheless
October 10th 2012 @ 5:28pm
Jerry said | October 10th 2012 @ 5:28pm | Report comment
The nature of Richie is….irrepressible!
October 10th 2012 @ 7:51am
moaman said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:51am | Report comment
From Wiki ‘ McCaw’s great-great-grandfather immigrated to New Zealand, from the Scottish Borders in 1893,[3] and settled in the Hakataramea Valley, North Otago. McCaw’s father still works the family farm and his mother is a local teacher.[4] On New Year’s Eve 1980, Richard Hugh McCaw was born in the nearby city of Oamaru. He grew up on his parents’ farm along with his sister Joanna. McCaw started flying gliders with his grandfather, a Tempest pilot during World War II credited with shooting down 20 V1 missiles, when he was nine years old.[3] He played rugby for the local Kurow rugby club as a youngster,[4] but it was not until 1994, when he boarded at Otago Boys’ High School in Dunedin, that he started to take the game seriously.[3]
In his last year at Otago Boys High, McCaw was head boy, proxime accessit (runner up) to the dux and played in the school’s top rugby team.[4][5] McCaw came to the attention of national selectors during a 5-all draw with Rotorua Boys’ High School in the 1998 New Zealand secondary schools rugby final in Christchurch.[3] However, he failed to make the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team, losing out to Sam Harding, Angus McDonald and Hale T-Pole.[5] With Sam Harding moving south to study at the University of Otago, McCaw headed to Christchurch’s Lincoln University to study agricultural science and pursue his rugby interests.[4] He achieved all but two papers for his Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree before rugby became his life[6]. He received an honorary doctorate on recognition of his sporting achievements in April 2012[7].
In 1999, McCaw was selected in the New Zealand under 19 squad (coached by Mark Shaw), which won the world championship in Wales. During that series, McCaw realised his All Blacks dream could be attainable.[3] The following year he was selected in the New Zealand under 21 squad and debuted for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) against North Harbour.[8] On 31 March 2001 he made his Super Rugby debut with the Crusaders, playing a few minutes in a losing effort against the Hurricanes.[4][9] That year he only played twice for the Crusaders, both times as a substitute, for a total of just eight minutes playing time.[10] He did however play a full season with NPC champions Canterbury and captained the New Zealand Under 21s.[11][12] ”
What I want to know,if RM was prox at his school…..WHO was the Dux????
October 10th 2012 @ 8:48am
Red Kev said | October 10th 2012 @ 8:48am | Report comment
Speaking as someone who got both bridesmaid prizes of vice-captain and proxime accessit at my school – ask McCaw when you get the chance, I guarantee he hasn’t forgotten the guy’s name.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:56am
Jeff said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Once again Wiki is wrong.
It just depends who the dumb b…… is who enters the facts.
Look at a Map and se where The Hakataramea Valley is.
North Side of the Waitaki River which is the bounday between Otago and Canterbury.
And if you can’t read a map I will tell you that the north side of the river is Canterbury or South canterbury.
October 10th 2012 @ 10:45am
Ryan said | October 10th 2012 @ 10:45am | Report comment
jeff see above reply to you,
South Canterbury and North Otago are separate provinces and Unions they are not Otago or Canterbury
October 10th 2012 @ 1:13pm
Jeff said | October 10th 2012 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
Canterbury and Otago are separate provinces.
South Canterbury and North Otago are separate Unions for the purpose of Rugby.North Otago is part of the Highlanders franchise and South Canterbury is part of the Crusaders franchise.
The boundary between the two is the Waitaki River and the Hakataramea Valley definitely lies to the north of the Waitaki. Is residentst pay rates to the Waimate District Council which is wholly situated in South Canterbury.So I don’t know how North Otago can be a claimant.
Also the fact of where one is born or goes to school has no bearing on where you reside.
My father served in the Australian Army.
I was born in Singapore but I am in no way a Singaporean.When we lived in Canberra for 5 years I went to school there.
HoweverI am a New South Welshman as that is where our family home was and where I resided for most of my childhood and where I live today.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:27pm
Jerry said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
He played for Kurow Rugby Club and Otago Boys, so while he may have lived on the North Canterbury side of the border, his formative rugby years were in Highlander country.
October 10th 2012 @ 11:00pm
liam said | October 10th 2012 @ 11:00pm | Report comment
keep digging jeff.
eventually you’ll come out in china and be declared correct.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:49am
Jeff said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:49am | Report comment
He was born in Oamaru Hospital yes but his parents owned a farm in the Hakataramea Valley only 5 kilometres from my brother in law’s farm.My Brother in law has lived there all his life and has always described himself as a South Cantabrian.He also was born in Oamaru which is the closest hosptal even though it is over 100 kilometres away.
The Hakataramea Valley is on the north side of the Waitaki River and in South Canterbury.
Have a look at a map.
And generally speaking people say they come from the province where their home is and where they sleep at night.
Even the census will record Richie McCaw whwn he was a child as living in the Hakataramea Valley in South Canrebury.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:14pm
Cattledog said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Thank heaven’s that’s cleared up. Good on your brother-in-law. And to think we may have been silly enough to believe Wiki rather than him.
By the way, I was born in NSW but call myself a Queenslander…who’d have known
Anybody south of the QLD border are Mexicans anyway…that would include Richie
October 10th 2012 @ 9:25am
Happy Hooker said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:25am | Report comment
Give Robbie a break! He’s had to come over here, and learn how to use vowels ……LOL
October 10th 2012 @ 10:34am
Ryan said | October 10th 2012 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Have to agree with Josh and The Grafter,
There are plenty of Henry detractors in New Zealand and whilst a large portion of them may come from the Southern Provinces there is also a lot of people who simply don’t like him because of the “Auckland” syndrome as Grafter puts it.
With the recent Argentinian assistant coaching scenario it brought many of those detractors back to the fore.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:14am
Bono said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:14am | Report comment
Taken from Pr…funny
So
Umaga says the guy is a dick
Cullen says the guy is a dick
McCaw says they guy is a dick
I think the guy might be a dick.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:37am
Ben.S said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:37am | Report comment
Justin Marshall too…
That aside, this is a nothing article. McCaw has simply made a few observations that basically everybody already knew. This is de rigueur with player’s books. Really don’t see how this merits any extended response, let alone conspiracy theories about Hansen v Deans.
And are we still dropping the 3rd string myth?
October 10th 2012 @ 6:23am
ohtani's jacket said | October 10th 2012 @ 6:23am | Report comment
I don’t think Justin Marshall is in that group. Aren’t they squash buddies?
October 10th 2012 @ 6:36am
Riccardo said | October 10th 2012 @ 6:36am | Report comment
They play squash regularly OJ
October 10th 2012 @ 6:51am
Red Kev said | October 10th 2012 @ 6:51am | Report comment
Yeah I’ve never heard JM criticise him, I’ve never actually heard him ever criticise anything to do with the Crusaders, it is a big weakness in his commentary especially noticeable this year.
The fact three great All Blacks question Deans’ suitability as an international coach carries no weight with the cheer squad though.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:14am
ohtani's jacket said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:14am | Report comment
Hadn’t noticed that about Marshall. As far as I recall, he was quick to pounce on any Crusaders infringement. Personally, I’m not a big fan of Marshall’s over-eagerness to be fair and impartial.
Deans men always have an excuse. With Umaga and Cullen it’s that Deans was only the assistant coach and had no say in the matter despite all evidence to the contrary. I wonder if Deans saw himself as just an assistant when he was coaching with Mitchell? Or was Mitchell the assistant in his view? One thing that’s worth bearing in mind is that McCaw had experience under Mitchell and Deans and Henry & Co. which would surely have influenced his opinion over which set-up he preferred.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:51am
katzilla said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:51am | Report comment
Even after all these years and a world cup, reading Deans, Umaga and Especially Cullen all in the same sentence still winds me up.
Him and Mitchell were like politicians leading into that world cup and when the crunch came on they did what politicians did, lied their @sses off.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:59am
mania said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:59am | Report comment
me too katzilla, and goldie, taine, antonOliver, mehrtens but for me especially cullen
October 10th 2012 @ 8:22am
Darwin Stubbie said | October 10th 2012 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Really it’s all summed up in the selection of Ben Blair for the squad …. An average footballer at best, Injured basically all season and who listed his highlighted for that year as winning the club rugby championship … Gets the nod over Cullen – before having to drop out …. That in a nutshell summed up the Mitchell / Deans era for me …. The answer to any question always started in Canterbury / Crusaders country
October 10th 2012 @ 8:33am
mania said | October 10th 2012 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Darwin Stubbie – i thought i’d forgioven deans and moved on but you and katzilla are bringing it all up again.
and another thing. merhts was replaced by cameronMcIntyre (at cantebury) and cullen by benBlair. when both these players screwed up at the super finals vs the brumbies both their rugby careers ended. deans dropped them immediately and they never played for cantebury again. cameron disapeared of to japan i think and blair went to europe. if these two payers were good enough to replace greats why did deans get rid of them so quick?
October 10th 2012 @ 7:14am
The Grafter said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:14am | Report comment
Anton Oliver either didnt speak to kindly of him.
I think Cullens comments were directed at Mitchell (a No 8 with 3 mid week games for the All Blacks on his CV) who after sacking him pre 03 WC stated he (was the current AB try scorer record holder) didnt hold the ball correctly
October 10th 2012 @ 8:21am
Ben.S said | October 10th 2012 @ 8:21am | Report comment
I’m pretty sure I recall Marshall criticising Deans in his autobiography re the WC, OJ.
October 11th 2012 @ 11:12am
rae1 said | October 11th 2012 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Justin was considered a pretty decent 9 over here even though many also thought he was a dick too.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:50am
Sage said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:50am | Report comment
October 10th 2012 @ 9:52am
Sage said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:52am | Report comment
I don’t know Ben. It had been alluded to but for Richie to come out and confirm he is a bit of a despot who struggles with his assistants and general communication I find an interesting confirmation and not a nothing article by Lordy. I don’t think everybody basically already knew and if they did, it should have tempered some of the responses when suggestions were made that Deans wasn’t the man any longer and a bad communicator.
I’d like to know from David, after this has surfaced, has your opinion on Robbie changed at all ? Understanding you noted you aren’t one of the ones who want him sacked, do you still think he’s the best man for the job if his approach is as Richie states ?
October 10th 2012 @ 3:39pm
Larry said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
definitely another nothing article
October 10th 2012 @ 7:18am
kingplaymaker said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:18am | Report comment
Moderation seems to be on holiday today unless the moderator is Quade Cooper
October 10th 2012 @ 9:29am
Happy Hooker said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:29am | Report comment
I think they said duck! Well, that’s what it sounded like!
October 10th 2012 @ 2:34am
kingplaymaker said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:34am | Report comment
A big risk for Mccaw. In setting out a negative stall towards Deans, he may live to regret it if Deans’ Wallabies overtake the All Blacks in the next years.
Hansen and Mccaw are starting to speak to a level of confidence that goes beyond towards attacking opposition coaches and in Hansen’s case gloating. It’s worth remembering that pride often comes before a fall.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:45am
Bono said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:45am | Report comment
“A big risk for Mccaw. In setting out a negative stall towards Deans, he may live to regret it if Deans’ Wallabies overtake the All Blacks in the next years”
I don’t see why this will be an issue considering his win/loss ratio against the wallabies will forever be in the positive no matter what happens in the next couple of years. Besides, he hasn’t attacked the wallaby setup, just passing an opinion on the merits of the two coaches which was/is a huge debating point in nz.
And to be fair, it’s an autobiography isn’t it?? Not many people will buy it if there’s nothing spicy in it. Considering all their success in recent years, they have been incredibly low key and humble imo….as opposed to the loudmouths in the wallaby setup who seem to do all their talking before the game.
October 10th 2012 @ 5:40am
Bazza all black said | October 10th 2012 @ 5:40am | Report comment
I would risk it – unlikely Ozzie will rebuild any time soon (but I think they will, in fact we need them to) but when is the right time to gloat, it’s when you are on top, bit silly doing it when you are losing..
Silly man…
October 10th 2012 @ 6:44am
Riccardo said | October 10th 2012 @ 6:44am | Report comment
Incorrect.
Your interpretation that he is “putting the boot in” is flawed.
McCaw is explaining the rationale behind his decision to go with Henry and his assistants, that’s all. Remember this is MCCaw’s autobiography. As has been discussed ad nauseam I’m not sure your interpretation of Hansen’s comments as “gloating” is accurate either.
The Wallabies would appear to be some way behind the All Blacks right now anyway although I imagine they will get the odd win again as they improve. I hope this is the case.
October 10th 2012 @ 11:02pm
Sylvester said | October 10th 2012 @ 11:02pm | Report comment
I agree with you Riccardo. I don’t see it as criticism, just that Deans as head coach likes to make his own decisions. Some coaches work better that way and it doesn’t make it right or wrong. Didn’t seem to be a problem at the Crusaders.
Remember when Sir Clive was criticised for having too many coaches in the Lions tour to NZ – the players said they were confused by mixed messages.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:06am
Darwin Stubbie said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:06am | Report comment
‘ Hansen and Mccaw are starting to speak to a level of confidence that goes beyond towards attacking opposition coaches and in Hansen’s case gloating.’ ….. Yeah because this book has been knocked up in the last few weeks …. Keep bending those facts to try and shoehorn that warped viewpoint
October 10th 2012 @ 7:17am
Kuruki said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:17am | Report comment
“it’s worth remembering that pride often comes before a fall.”‘
Why not take your own advice. You continue to blindly support Robbie Deans as David Lord does based on your own pride, because there sure as hell is not anything else worth basing it on.
Look at the track record KPM Deans has left bad impressions everywhere he has been, who are you to argue against guys who have been in the environment. QC now RM two polar opposites with the same opinion of Robbie Deans and his coaching methods.
I think you Deans lovers are the ones about to take a fall.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:20am
kingplaymaker said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:20am | Report comment
I personally think the more dignified Henry model is better, but then those who love the gloating, extreme pride may prefer something else.
October 10th 2012 @ 8:35am
formeropenside said | October 10th 2012 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Risk? Deans hasn’t shown anything in the last 5 years against the AB’s, so suddenly getting it together now is about as likely as the Titanic spontaneously refloating to continue its journey across the Atlantic.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:25pm
GWS said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
That’s gold
October 10th 2012 @ 3:27pm
Mike said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
The real problem with KPM’s comment is that the Wallabies have not shown any likelihood of doing that in the last 10 years (not just the last 5).
Nor is there any real likelihood that we will do it in the next 10, Deans or no Deans.
Unless there is a radical overhaul of Australian rugby in every department.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:20pm
Cattledog said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
Nothing like injecting a bit of comedy for a Wednesday, KPM
October 10th 2012 @ 3:24pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
Hi Cattledog — you beat me to the punch!! But the biggest laught is KPM thinks he is serious
October 10th 2012 @ 3:27pm
Cattledog said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Hey Cliffy, nice to hear from you
U still OS?
October 10th 2012 @ 3:22pm
Cliff (Bishkek) said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
LOL, LOl, LOL — are you damn serious — My God
October 10th 2012 @ 2:42am
Jnrn said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:42am | Report comment
Onli canterbarians like him we north islanders just thought he was a snobby prick but who cares cause richie gonna stop him again from gettin the top job when Hansen goes u heard it here first richie McCaw to coach all blacks with carter his backs coach or umaga and thorn his forwards coach or mealamu or hore lol imagine richie runnin the show lol awesome
October 10th 2012 @ 7:21am
Kuruki said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:21am | Report comment
Deans would never get the All Blacks job after this, the country would have a fit.
Wayne Smith, Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie would be a dream combination.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:47am
The Grafter said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Rennie is definately earmarked Kuruki.
1 NPC with Wgtn (2000) in his second year of coaching.
3 Under 20 world titles.
Developing Manawatu at short notice from Charlie MacAlistar (Lukes Dad) pulling the plug just prior to them commencing back in the big time.
Super 15 title in first year as Head Coach (was Graham Mouries assistant at the Canes ten years ago).
Joseph concerns me. Abrasive and from all accounts whilst at Wellington played ‘favourites’. Perhaps hes moved on from that, but until he does something with the Highlanders, its hard to see him going any further.
October 10th 2012 @ 10:51am
Ryan said | October 10th 2012 @ 10:51am | Report comment
I think you’ll have to put Gatland in the mix too, he has openly stated that he would like to coach the ABs at some stage in his career, Dave Rennie, Gatland and wayne Smith could be a formiddable coaching team
October 10th 2012 @ 12:12pm
The Grafter said | October 10th 2012 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
VERY Ryan.
Gatland is first class, hence the Welsh locking him in until after the next Cup.
October 10th 2012 @ 8:54pm
Bakkies said | October 10th 2012 @ 8:54pm | Report comment
Gatland hasn’t head coached any Super Rugby teams yet and has been out of the NZ scene for a long time apart from a stint at Waikato. Plus he isn’t getting any younger. That may go against him so he could end up being NZ’s version of Tim Lane
October 11th 2012 @ 11:17am
rae1 said | October 11th 2012 @ 11:17am | Report comment
Agree. Been gone from NZ rugby scene too long. He’s been ‘UK-ised”.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:46am
Jnrn said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:46am | Report comment
I havent seen Hansen gloating kpm and I hope it does fire up deans and the wallabies cause I don’t want to go to suncorp and watch them get blowen away I’d rather they put up a fight especially cause I’m payin my cold hard cash to watch a test match not men vs boys
October 10th 2012 @ 2:53am
Bono said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:53am | Report comment
I haven’t either, he’s just is a very straight up guy who calls it the way he sees it. I remember him coming out a few weeks ago and saying that Whitelock was dropped purely because he was playing not up to standard. So refreshing to hear some brutal honesty. He’s not politically correct and that might seem like arrogance to some.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:52am
James said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:52am | Report comment
kiwis all together…..”I told you so”.
October 10th 2012 @ 3:59am
all7days said | October 10th 2012 @ 3:59am | Report comment
We didn’t tell anyone… We kept it a secret and it worked perfectly
October 10th 2012 @ 7:27am
Who Needs Melon said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:27am | Report comment
We didn’t need McCaw to tell us. We would have worked it out after 5 or 6 years ourselves.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:45am
Red Kev said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:45am | Report comment
There’s a decent amount of evidence courtesy of Lord, Zavos and Harris that many people haven’t figured it out.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:13am
Halleys Comet said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:13am | Report comment
All journos with noses in the ARU/old boys trough… funny that
October 10th 2012 @ 9:06am
rae1 said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:06am | Report comment
Kiwis: “Told you so!” LOL
October 10th 2012 @ 4:10am
jus de couchon said | October 10th 2012 @ 4:10am | Report comment
Seems to me that good rugby coachs might be like good politicians who are judged by the least harm they do.
October 10th 2012 @ 5:21am
Billy Bob said | October 10th 2012 @ 5:21am | Report comment
Actually, there seems to be a lot of prejudice in this – ‘what the saint said about the coach’ discussion.
Pre-held views are being wheeled out next to McCaw’s words and knitted together to form all sorts of arguments.
This sort of off the ball work is not new to McCaw. I can’t help but think that this may be another aspect of his competitive ruthlessness. And like Henry’s swipe at an inarticulate Cooper, is a punch that cannot be easily returned.
Rather than giving power to Deans’ critics it may actually win him support.
A man’s past does not have to equal his future, and in the wash up this public critique of Deans may improve his performance. I say ‘may’ not because it ‘will’ happen but to counterpoint the ignorant argument that goes like- ‘see richie said it! I told you Deans was crap!’
As I have been saying for months- Deans may or may not be a weak link in the set up but if he is he is just one of several and not the most crucial.
Let’s all ask Graham Henry and Richie McCaw what they think of the culture, structure, invisibilty and administration of Australian rugby!
They probably love it. For obvious reasons.
October 10th 2012 @ 7:26am
Kuruki said | October 10th 2012 @ 7:26am | Report comment
He is explaining why he put his support behind Henry instead of Robbie Deans.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:16am
Markus said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Nobody has said Deans is a crap coach, especially not McCaw.
McCaw is just reiterating what several people have stated previously (Umaga, Cullen, Oliver), and what has become fairly obvious from his tenure as Wallabies coach – Deans does not work well with other coaches, and does not like being questioned.
Just look at the turnover rate of both senior players and assistant coaches over the last 5 years.
The ‘my way or the highway’ coaching method can be very effective in some setups – see Mick Malthouse in the AFL (both the Pies and West Coast).
But it didn’t work with the 2003 All Blacks squad, and it is increasingly apparent that it is not working for the Wallabies.
October 10th 2012 @ 2:05pm
JBees said | October 10th 2012 @ 2:05pm | Report comment
Well said Markus!
October 10th 2012 @ 5:23am
Indio said | October 10th 2012 @ 5:23am | Report comment
“Robbie’s intransigence and relucctance to delegate might have been a factor, and it’s tempting to draw the conclusion that if Robbie has a strong assistant coach, the assistant won’t last long.”
Cue: Steve Hansen. He left the Crusaders for Wales because of Deans’ inability to get on with Steve Hansen. There’s the famous story of Deans calling the NZ Herald demanding to know why an article referred to Hansen as Assistant Coach when he was “just an assistant”.
Now we”ve come full circle.
October 10th 2012 @ 9:35am
peterlala said | October 10th 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
Indio, is that a rumour? I do want to believe it.
October 10th 2012 @ 11:29am
Indio said | October 10th 2012 @ 11:29am | Report comment
I think it was Wynn Gray of the NZ Herald who referred to the Deans telephone call re. Hansen.