Is the writing on the wall for Robbie Deans?

Chester, Nucifora's claims to the top job remain to be challenged. Regrettably, Australian rugby's problems lie elsewhere. Collectively, Australian rugby fans are too dumb to look beyond the trivial.....

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't the game structured the same way for more successful Wallaby coaches than Deans?

Katipo, I stand corrected but what I meant was that he will never be head coach. Something to do with politics within the NZRU and the fact he is coaching the team in the yellow jersey. That, I believe is a bridge too far.

Exactly, simple solutions for simple minds. The structure of the Australian game hasn't led Deans to select various players or to maintain a certain tactic of play. It hasn't led him to persist with Giteau at 10 either, for example. There are myriad reasons why Australian rugby is currently unsuccessful, but until 'fans' stop looking for the one big reason then the same old boring and misinformed debates will continue. There is no way that a side with players the calibre of Australia should be so dull, uninspired and generally unskilled.

Oh dear..... simple solutions for simple minds. Or let's not pretend about either the coach or the players, & look elsewhere - like the entire way the game is structured in this country. Hmmmm..... now there's an idea.

I have Sheek David Nucifora as high performance coach. The only incentive not to sack Deans would be to stop nucifora grabbing the job. He is certainly eyeing it off. And his record speaks for itself. The only coach who coaches better when he is not involved with the team

Sam T Very insightful post. This hits the nail on the head re Robbie Deans. He doesn't like big ball carriers. He doesn't like the older players- mainly because they stand up to him. Robbie Deans is reknowned for avoiding conflict- in fact he is a dreadful communicator and also has a massive ego and only likes players that go along with what he wants. Try interpreting his post match comments. the guy talks in circles. Word from the players is that he coaches the back to "Skip out" or run across field. His theory is that a small nimble player can outrun a bigger player. In all my years as a back, i have never heard such rubbish. the only way to commit defenders is to run straight. Deans has an average record as All Black assistant coach and hence was not given the job at the All Blacks. The NZRU are looking like geniuses now. They obviously knew something about Deans. The All Blacks were meant to have no depth but have come out of the June Test matches looking pretty good with lots of young players performing well. And Deans well - he still keeps underperforming and everyone keeps blaming the injury toll

"Sylvestor you have made my day with ” I’m sure Henry has the winningest record” , other than a lack of tactics, no plan B strategy when a team knows how to defend and Luke M still a potential AB Sam Taulelei you are clearly right “Graham Henry’s international coaching record will be remembered as one of the best ever if not the best ever in NZ rugby history” after all his world cup success strategy of resting players and continuing to consider Luke M as a potential AB clearly demonstrates that he is the best [coach[ ever in NZ rugby history" Henry made mistakes that contributed to the failure in the last WC, no doubt. I'm no die-hard Henry fan, but I was okay with him being reappointed. Why? Because I'm confident he's unlikely to repeat them. Changing the coach after each WC cycle hasn't led to a win next time round in the past, so why not try something different?

Or let's pretend that the coach isn't to blame at all, and that it is the players and the players alone whom are to blame.

Yeah, let's change the coach. It's his fault, & his alone. Let's pretend like we're on the Titanic, & replace the captain for running into an iceberg. That should solve all our problems like straight away. Like..... NOT!!!

Yeah, let's do that, change the coach. It's all his fault, & his alone. Let's pretend like we're on the Titanic, & change the captain for running into an iceberg. That'll solve our problem straight away for sure. Like..... NOT!!!

If the Reds had the luck with referee's that the Tahs did in 2010, they would have finished second on the ladder.

Mckenzie made the S14 final twice with the Tah's, lost yes, but against two very, very good Crusader teams, not a failure in my view.

Hear hear!

"Rico Gear was shuffled around the franchises for six seasons before becoming successful at the Crusaders." Competing against quality wingers like Howlett and Rokocoko doesn't make it easy to be first pick at Auckland. "Mark Robinson (centre) was no star but became an All Black" Promising player racked by injuries. Got most of his caps because his provincial coach was the assistant coach of the All Blacks. "Brad Mika struggled for game time at the Blues so headed south and made the ABs. Went back to the Blues and tanked." Made the ABs because his provincial coach was the assistant coach of the All Blacks. He didn't exactly tank at Auckland either, winning a Super title there as well as Ranfurly Shield and NPC Championships... "Ron Cribb, see above." Selected for All Blacks whilst playing for Wayne Smith's Crusaders. "Caleb Ralph, love or hate him, not wanted by the Blues." Should never have been an All Black. "Ross Filipo, not wanted by the Canes." He was never going to break into the Hurricanes loose trio and as lock he grew into the position (as a lot of talented players do; becoming better with experience and maturity). There's no doubt Deans is an excellent coach with a good eye for talent and an ability to nurture it. but as plenty of other people have stated, the culture at Canterbury doesn't exist elsewhere. It's therefore hard to distinguish which is the chicken and which is the egg.

Red Rooster's observations are very intelligent and quite correct. I have sat and looked at Dean's selections over his tenure and I am still baffled. On the point of Ewen McKenzie not doing that well at NSW, didn't he make a few finals when he was at the helm and NSW still sacked him and the current coach doesn't seem to have done any better and I seem to think he has had more critisism put on him for unattracive play since he became the coach. I also notice the notes of disention in regard to EM are from Waratah supporters. I too think he still has a lot to prove at the Reds one season doesn't make you a super coach but he did finish a lot higher on the ladder than any Reds fan thought he would at the start of the season. I am looking forward to see him perform next year but in saying this I will not be disapointed if he doesn't get the Reds any higher than where they are at present, the Following year I would expect them to challenge for the title. I being a Reds fan am not into instant gratification like the Waratahs fans.

MR, I think Dean's Wallaby success should be judged by the result at RWC 2011. They have to win it. I think that is the deal. What happens along the way is important, we would like to see some signs along the way that they are on track, but that's not as important as actually winning the World Cup. You know RWC is a one-off tournament. Make the quarter finals. Win 3 games in a row. That's what it is all about. Can they do it? If they had lifted a 3N or Bledisloe trophy or beaten the AB's in NZ I'd say yes they can win the World Cup. They haven't, yet, so we are not confident, but there is still opportunity for them to do so. I'm sure Robbie is as disappointed as anyone about the results so far. He loves to win and he HATES to lose. I would happily wager money on AB's or Springboks this far out, but I wouldn't count Robbie Dean's Wallabies out just yet... they might even surprise to the upside in the Tri-nations.

Red Rooster, fair point, Rod Macqueen was an exceptional coach. My point re McKenzie was that he has a mixed record of coaching he has success as an assistant coach for Wallabies but less success with Tahs & Stade France. He has done a great job with Reds but it is still early days. I hope he continues to improve and if Deans fails to achieve at RWC he may well be the right choice for Australia. On that note, what will be judged a success or failure at the RWC for Wallabies ? Go_the_Wannabe's, if Occams razor states that the simplest solution is usually the best, and given Deans has taken Wallabies from 5th World Ranking to 3rd in World Ranking in 2.5 years, doesn't this mean he should stay?

Not Dean's fault. He simply has no forwards...no cattle to mould. Just like watching the state of origin, it's doesn't matter who coaches Queensland or New South Wales, Queensland simply have better players.....there is no much you can do about it. Forget about a Tri-Nations or a World Cup with this group of forwards. When Deans has his front row back from injury, the Wallabies might be competitive, it's got nothing to do with Deans, there is only so much he can coach B- grade club level players playing against the All Blacks and the Boks.

So 1-5 is acceptable because the Aussies are the third ranked side? I think you can expect them not to lose two matches at home for starters.