Wallabies coach Robbie Deans talks to the team during the Wallabies Captain’s run in Sydney on Friday, July 25, 2008. AAP Image/Jenny Evans
It’s fair to assume any other man in Robbie Deans’ position could be looking for a new job if Australia lose Saturday’s Tri-Nations dead rubber.
But Deans, easily the best man for the post following his amazing Super rugby success with the Crusaders, has little to worry about apart from building his young team towards the 2011 World Cup.
Even five straight defeats to the All Blacks, who passed him over for the job he most desired 20 months ago, hasn’t shaken his grip on the Wallabies coaching role.
In contrast, New Zealand’s coaching team of Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and particularly Steve Hansen are all under the pump.
A seventh straight year with the Bledisloe Cup hasn’t masked their worst season in 11 years with four losses from eight Tests.
Former greats such as Sean Fitzpatrick, Murray Pierce and Robin Brooke have fired telling shots, as well as past coach Laurie Mains who took aim at Hansen over the lack of improvement in their long-time weakness area, the lineout.
Asked at his media conference in Wellington on Friday what his thoughts were on the NZ coaching situation, Deans unsurprisingly showed his evasive skills.
“I don’t think about it a lot to be honest. I’m busy doing our job and our numbers don’t stack up as well,” he said.
The NZ media are genuinely surprised Deans remains safe despite his record.
Asked if there was more scrutiny across the Tasman, where rugby is easily the No.1 national past-time, or in Australia, his dry response drew laughs: “Both. And I get it both sides.
“You want the best all the time, that’s the reality,” he added.
“That’s part of the industry, it’s not about me, it’s about this group playing to their potential and maximising what they do and enjoying what they do and I think they’re trending in the right direction.”
With Australian Rugby Union supremo John O’Neill present at the press conference, Deans felt his men showed they were learning their painful lessons and heading in the right direction after the 21-6 win over South Africa in Brisbane.
“We got a confirmation of that two weeks ago and we don’t want that to dissipate on Saturday.”
ALL BLACKS VS WALLABIES
Overall: Played 158. NZ 108, Aust 45, drawn 5
In NZ: Played 72. NZ 53, Aust 18, drawn 1
In Wellington: NZ 12, Aust 6, drawn 1
Biggest Australian win (margin): 21 (28-7) in Sydney, 1999
Biggest NZ win (margin): 37 (43-6) in Wellington, 1996
Highest Australian winning score: 34 (34-19) in Sydney, 2008
Highest NZ winning score: 50 (50-21) in Sydney, 2003
Most matches: 29 – David Campese (Aust), 24 – Sean Fitzpatrick (NZ)
Most points: 202 – Andrew Mehrtens (NZ), 176 – Matt Burke (Aust)
Most tries: 8 – Christian Cullen, Doug Howlett, Ian Kirkpatrick (all NZ), David Campese (Aust)
Last five Tests: 2009: NZ 19-18 in Sydney, NZ 22-16 in Auckland. 2008: NZ 19-14 in Hong Kong, NZ 28-24 in Brisbane, NZ 39-10 in AucklandAustralia v New Zealand at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 1735 AEST
Referee: Craig Joubert (RSA)
Centrebet: NZ $1.50, Aust $2.60Wallabies: James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, George Smith (capt), David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Res: Stephen Moore, Pek Cowan, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Res: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rodney So’oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear.
Matt0931
Guest
Teams are not rebuilt overnight, nor are they suddenly world champions at the blink of an eye. If you think back a few years ago in SA when Jake White was coach and SA were losing everything there were also many many other south african redneck fools just like you calling for his head but luckily the SA administration stood by their man and two years later look at what happened...yes, they won the world cup. For the record as shown in my previous post, I'm not happy with the performance of the wallabies tonight, but I can also see some areas in the game where we played well and I, unlike you, am trying to be positive for the future.
Tragic
Guest
This was the sort of performance that I have been waiting to see from the All Blacks all season, Desperate all forwards type of stuff from the old school. Wallabies out classed basically because they thought they had the wood on the opponents NZ (SA were focused on the week ahead when they were played in Brisbane) and underestimated the NZ beast that is at its typical best despite the best in the world SA. SA Truly the best now proven by a AB outfit hungry for it oh well Go the Cats!
Jerry
Guest
Same goes for Deans I suspect.
Gerrard
Guest
No guys, thats how it was suppose to be. Wobblies woooooooooden damn spoon
Harry
Guest
I am a great Aussie Rob supporter but he has to be accountable, along with the players, for tonight's debacle. Why was O'Conner kept on the field? What on earth happened at the lineouts ... why didn't they contest? Why no changes in the forwards - Mumm for Chisolm, Palu on earlier. They couldn't do any worse. What happened mentally? The kick chase was dreadful. Some plain speaking and admission of responsibility and error needed.
MW
Guest
Wallabies were rubbish tonight. As for Robbie Deans, the problem is that we were sold him as the best thing since sliced bread and the truth seems to be that he is just like every other coach out there. That is, human. We might have to be patient if we want winners from this lot.
cookee
Guest
yes melon it is laughable but these notions are from the self-serving factions close to and feeding off this mediocrity.the transparency is palpable . these wallies are deans clones;even down to the nodding as they read from the team mantra;what a joke
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I'm with everyone else - that was absolutely disgusting. I'm not sure what the final stats were but the 2nd half ruck and maul stats of 30 to 2 were flashed up at one stage. That just shows total capitulation. Well done to the ABs - they played very well and worked in packs. Wallabies are a team of wannabeheroes. What gets me the most - as I've said previously - is that I see NO PROGRESS WHATSOEVER. The notion that Dean is "safe" is laughable.
van der Merwe
Guest
Creeping moss...
cookee
Guest
at least gus hudiinck improved a hopeless team;whereas deans has made an average team worse(until the fairies come in 2011)
cookee
Guest
are you seriously deranged;this latest effort is way up there with their 50 pointer agst bok last year no wonder indeed the wallies supporters get what they deserve CLARITY is never for gods sake serve on a jury
Matt0931
Guest
Come on guys chin up. Yes the wallabies got flogged tonight and it was probabaly the worst performance of the year for them but I think there were a couple of positives to take from the match. - Barnes slipped into inside centre a few times tonight and looked good in that position. Hopefully Deans will now make the decision and move him there on a ful time basis - Although the scrummaging from both sides was pretty bad tonight I think the forwards put up a good fight in the first half - Unfortunately the wallabies weren't commiting enough men to the breakdown in the second half but Elsom did a particularly good job at the breakdown tonight and Pocock also put in a good performance. - James O’Connor made a couple of nice little darting moves tonight when he wasn't isolated but he also dropped a few clangers along the way - was this just the presuure of the night? Hopefully time will tell. I think Deans is the right man for job. Much talk is out there about him not being able to make the step from Super rugby to international rugby but I think he doing ok. He is slowly moving the dead wood away from the team and the rookies are getting more play time which, lets be honest, can only improve. I made the prediction last month that Mortlock won't be back in the team and won't feature in the November tours. I hope this prediction comes to fruition as Ashley-cooper is looking good in outside-centrre - he just needs to pass the ball a bit more.
Hansie
Guest
Deans has made no progress at all. Under his regime, Australia is 1 from 7 against New Zealand (and this is not a great New Zealand team), and in 2009 was 1 from 6 in tri-nations. These results are worse than under Jones and Connolly. O'Neill has put the mortgage on Deans, and has to be accountable for the performance of the Wallabies.
Chris
Guest
6 years of pathetic performances by the Wallabies Vs. the ABs. I'm devastated, I give up
Knives Out
Guest
'if robbie is as safe as houses he will need an air raid shelter to spin himself out of this latest debacle' Very sharp.
cookee
Guest
if robbie is as safe as houses he will need an air raid shelter to spin himself out of this latest debacle.you do yourself no good by suggesting no others could take his place.aust have already won 2 rwcs without deans and he himself lost to aust in 2003
Tim
Guest
I have never seen a national team so totally dominated at the breakdown like the Wallabies were. It was cringeworthy. Oh the shame. OWNED.
MM Fike
Guest
I am devastated. What an awful effort by the Wallabies. I was embarrassed. Where do we go from here? I give up, fair dinkum.
cdd
Guest
Worst display seen for a long, long time. No pride in jersey, no hunger! Just not frigging good enough!!! As a player I'd be ashamed over that effort.
Kenny
Guest
Another pathetic display from Australia's most pathetic national team. God they are hopeless.