This article will be the first of a series I plan to write about the Wallabies’ long road from France 2007 to New Zealand 2011.
I will never forget that horrible spring day in 2007.
I vividly remember sitting in an expat-bar in Paris, waiting for that quarter-final to start, and lining my stomach with grease whilst reading the English tabloids. The papers were almost universally in agreement – the Wallabies had it in the bag. How terribly wrong they were…
When Robbie “Dingo” Deans stepped off the plane in June 2008, we were lead to believe that the Messiah had arrived. Sure, there were Kiwi-themed jokes and just a hint of resentment from within the ranks (the old “an Aussie should coach an Aussie Team” mentality). But there was very little open skepticism and few voiced a truly disagreement.
In fact, there was almost universal agreement that he was the best man for the job – the job of taking the Wallabies to glory in New Zealand 2011. This optimism was justifiable too, as Deans had just coached the mighty Crusaders to yet another Super Rugby title. To say expectations were high amongst the faithful would be an understatement.
For Dingo, things started well enough out on the field with wins over Ireland and France, followed by first-up wins against the All Blacks and Springboks.
However since this high point, there have been consistent failures and unacceptable results. A brief reminder of some of the worst moments, illustrate my point well:
* 30 August 2008: South Africa 53 def 8 Australia (largest losing margin in Wallabies history);
* 10 consecutive losses against the All Blacks, from our victory on 26 July 2008 until 30 October 2010 in Hong Kong;
* 21 November 2009: Scotland def Australia;
* 19 June 2010: England def Australia (at home);
* 16 November 2010: Munster def Australia; and
* 15 July 2011: Samoa def Australia (at home and for the first time ever).
But results alone are not enough of an indicator of the pain Wallaby fans have had to endure under Deans. For mine, it is not the losing that is frustrating, but the inability to learn from these mistakes.
Deans has consistently continued to select players (“back them”) well beyond the date when it became obvious that they were not up to Test standard. Some of my favourite targets include:
* Dean Mumm (32 Tests);
* Richard Brown (23 Tests); and
* Salesi Ma’afu (10 Tests).
However, he has also continued to select players that were shown by other coaches not to be up to standard (Chisholm). Furthermore, he has persisted with other facets of the Wallabies game that should have been abandoned much earlier; Giteau and the kicking responsibilities or Elsom and the captaincy.
And finally, the bizarre habit of selecting, and then playing, players out of position compared to their Super positions, for example;
* Ben Alexander at THP (a LHP for the Brumbies);
* James O’Connor at Wing (a fullback, fly-half or inside centre for the Force);
Sadly, much of the failure has been attributed to the generational change that was necessary following the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This is undeniable – change was needed and losses were to be expected. But things could have been done so much better.
There should be no allowance made in Deans’ favour simply for tackling the generational change required. Anybody can cut old players and bring in new ones. The skill is in managing this change to ensure acceptable results, whilst building a team that will eventually be greater for that change.
Deans has failed to deliver this.
The fact that the Wallabies are selecting a player who has been out of the game and studying for three years speaks volume about what Deans has been doing for the past three years. Not to mention the fact that he is still selecting rookies only six weeks out from the tournament, whilst playing a bloke in a position he has been found out in over and over again.
With certain coaches you get that feeling that they are very much in control and that the team has a certain purpose and direction.
Sadly, with the Wallabies under Deans, I never have this feeling.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Harry, "Deans is no doubt a deep thinker about the game and an accomplished coach, but gee hasn’t he made some mistakes." No question that Dingo is a deep thinker of the game. You can't coach a side to the sort of success the Crusaders had under him without being incredibly knowledgable about the game. In many ways his mistakes are so baffling that it can only be as a result of Deans having a clear idea in his head of what should work (and probably can), but simply will not work (probably due to the Rugby situation here as opposed to New Zealand). There is practicaly no other explanation. With respect to your comments regarding Alexander. It all must stem from his initial success at THP in 2009. There can be no other reason... "Surely the obvious thing to do this weekend is to move Kepu to tighthead and bring in either Holmes or Baxter to the bench?" Absolutely agree. It boggles the mind. "One other point … Australia really missed a trick when JON abandoned the Australia A participation in the Pacific Islands cup. We should be doing our experimenting there, not in test matches. To be fair to Deans he has championed midweek games on the NH tours and I think thats a very very good move. Look at the benefits its delivered." Harry I will avoid discussing this topic at the moment, as it will by covered in my next two (2) to three (3) articles in this series, discussing JON and the ARUs road to New Zealand 2011...
Harry
Guest
Very good article and one that I pretty much agree with. Deans is no doubt a deep thinker about the game and an accomplished coach, but gee hasn't he made some mistakes. In particular, the forwards. He's consistently selected players who we all know are not of test standard - Baxter for a long while, Alexander, Ma'afu, Mumm and Brown are all good examples. Its patently, blindingly obvious for example that Ben Alexander is not up to starting at tighthead in test matches - perhaps he may well be one day in the future, but clearly not now and probably not for at least a couple of years. He's played less than 10 games in that position his whole life ... and its not something that can be taught in a few training sessions. Surely the obvious thing to do this weekend is to move Kepu to tighthead and bring in either Holmes or Baxter to the bench? None of these 3 are perfect yet they are all clearly better tightheads than the player slected for the test team! One other point ... Australia really missed a trick when JON abandoned the Australia A participation in the Pacific Islands cup. We should be doing our experimenting there, not in test matches. To be fair to Deans he has championed midweek games on the NH tours and I think thats a very very good move. Look at the benefits its delivered.
The Bush
Roar Guru
johnny-boy, With respect to Vickerman, time will tell. In a later article I plan to criticise the ARU and JON for letting Vickerman escape at the time he did, or not discuss his options with them in a superior way. For example, why didn't he leave straight after the 2007 World Cup? He could have done his three (3) years and be finished by July LAST YEAR. Then he could have got a full Super Season under his belt...
johnny-boy
Guest
I have to say le bush I think Vickerman is worth sticking with. I know he has had an armchair ride in but he was pretty near the top of his profession previously and he has genuine venom and smart. There was a medical student playing 1st grade rugby in CHCH the same time as Deans and he just loved stomping and kicking heads. I figured he must have been drumming up future patients.
johnny-boy
Guest
Classic BB
The Bush
Roar Guru
johnny-boy, I certainly don't wish anyone a career ending injury, but I understand your sentiment - sometimes it feels like the only way to ensure Deans what pick one of these blokes if when they're injured. Unfortunately I'm not privy to the backroom mechanisms of the ARU, because I plan to write my next article about JON and the ARU. Some of the blame must lie with them for the pampering approach they have taken to certain players suchs as Dan Vickerman and Rocky Elsom. Half of me is tempted to suggest that Deans has total control over the ARU expending time and resources bringing these guys back (a waste of both). The other half has a suspicion that JON and the ARU board inflict these players on him. You can almost imagine the telephone conversation in 2009 between JON and Deans; "Dingo?" "Yeah its John. Did you see that Heineken Cup match?" "No?" "Me neither, but some guy in Ireland, O'something-or-other apparently said Rocky Elsom is the best player in the world!" "You didn't think so when he was here?" "Well it doesn't matter, Stirlo is about to break in half and this bloke could be the answer to our captain problems" "Yeah I know I told you when you came here you would make these decisions, but this is too good to be true" "I'll see you at the next training in Sydney; make sure you don't hold it out west - I hate the traffic".
The Bush
Roar Guru
jeremy, I just watched an interview involving Cooper and O'Connor on FoxSports, discussing who will have the kicking duties. Now I don't want to take all the fun out of life, but I found it quite a contrast to see Cooper joking, bragging and teasing with his good mate O'Connor, at a time when the Wallabies are rightly considered the joke of international rugby. If we were on top of the world, then it's probably more acceptable. However, compare that interview to the interviews that the players gave during the season at the Reds. Cooper, Genia and Horwill all gave serious, to the point interviews about team mentality, doing what the coach says, following game plans and taking it one week at a time. I understand that these guys are great mates, and I understand the appeal of letting the players have some fun, but in front of the cameras is not the time... If Deans was really in charge, the way you sense Link is in charge, then things would be conducted very differently. It's a cliche no doubt, but I honestly believe these blokes need a Headmaster and not a mate. (very interesting backstory on Henry - I was not aware really of his background beyond Rugby).
johnny-boy
Guest
Very well written le bush - I doubt I could have put it better myself and I think SamT already knows the answers to his questions. The most damning indictment of Deans imo is that some Australian rugby supporters are dying for some of our supposedly top players to secure season or even career ending injuries to get them out of a position in the team they obviously do not deserve to occupy. Such as Mumm, Giteau, Elsom, Alexander, Maafu. Contrast this with the kiwis who are busting for their top players not to be injured as they dont have as much depth as normal. Having one Stephen Donald is bad enough but when you've got almost half a team of them it's a sure fire way to minimize support for the Wallabies. Sending out a bunch of greenhorn Australain rugby players to a fired up Samoan team with what one can only assume was a gentle pat on the backside and wish you luck dear still shows extraordinary naivety towards the Australian psyche. The only way the Wallabies can get themselves to the top is going to be by themselves and maybe some secret sessions with Ewen McKenzie.
jeremy
Guest
These boys need a headmaster, not a bloke that “empowers them” and lets them “play what’s in front of them”. I attended an all-boys school headmastered at the time by an ex All Black, and attended by current and past All Blacks. Graham Henry had taught there on his way to headmastership, I believe he coached the First XV at the time, and one year that team included a guy called Grant Fox. The place was absolutely dripping with the tenets of history, tradition, pride, fierce rivalries with other schools, all the stereotypical qualities attributed to boys schools. It strikes me that someone who can lead a school in that way (Henry was headmaster of Kelston Boys Grammar) could develop the kind of rapport and culture, almost mystique, that surrounds an elite sports team. The ability to encourage, cajole, order and manipulate quite young albeit exceptional people into performing incredible feats under great pressure. The only direct comparison I can draw would be a sergeant preparing a squad for war. You want that presence in the changing sheds, the mix of awe and respect, so when he cracks it and says 'Get the bloody hell out there and get stuck in or you're getting a clip on the earhole and no pie after the game.' Dingo isn't that guy, is he? Too much allowing the players to own the reality, not enough telling them they failed / lost.
Dave
Guest
"Deans has consistently continued to select players (“back them”) well beyond the date when it became obvious that they were not up to Test standard. Some of my favourite targets include:" It's interesting (if not particularly enlightening) to look at deans past form for the Crusaders on this front. Andrew Mehrtens was ruthlessly tossed aside by Deans with the arrival of Dan Carter, at a point when Mehrts was still considered the incumbent AB 1st5 (albeit with the added rumour of a personal clash with deans). On the other hand Caleb Ralph was a more or less permanent fixture despite being pretty average for the last couple of years. A sign of playing favourites perhaps? Or a sign of preferring players who conform to his ethos exactly, Deans is known for his strong team ethic wheras Mehrtens was always a bit of an individual. Rogers, Tuqiri etc got turfed pretty quickly once Deans hit the Wallabies too.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
The last time I felt that way was after buying a car from a used car salesman. The feeling soon changed. :(
Brett McKay
Guest
funnily enough, that's exactly how I see him too. I had the pleasure of meeting him and chatting briefly earlier this year, and I walked away thinking it would be just about impossible not to like the guy..
The Bush
Roar Guru
The funny thing is Brett, I like Deans. He comes across as an honest bloke, with little time to talk about rubbish. This is probably what suprises me so much, he seems like the kind of bloke that would swallow his pride and go "geez that didn't work..."... Perhaps my next one, about JON, will result in more agreement...
The Bush
Roar Guru
Sam, I agree that I ended the article too prematurely, but my only other experience of writing an article for the Roar ended with it being chopped, therefore I sought to keep it short and sweet (and thus retain as much artistic control over it). As to your points: "Do you think the ARU got it wrong four years ago with his appointment?" No, absolutely not - in fact I was one of those who failed to voice any disagreement because I also considered him the best man for the job. Furthermore, I was well and truly on the bandwagon after the five (5) straight victories he produced as well... Do you think that Deans needs better assistant coaches that offer differing opinions and will challenge his?" Strangely, no. I feel that some of the problems that result with modern sporting teams is that there is too much group mentality, too much delegation of tasks and too many chiefs, not enough Indians. The most successful coaches (and teams) in the world of sport have been led by men who will be remembered as being 100% in control of their sides (think Wayne, Sir Fergie and Link). Good assistants are vital no doubt, but the buck must stop with the man at the top, only he can provide the clear guidance needed. "Do you think that by appointing Deans the ARU has unintentionally revealed the structural problems within the game in Australia? eg. the lack of focus on tight forward development, lack of focus on scrummaging, lack of development in the sevens program and the Australia A team, short sighted plans to sign league players, no domestic national competition structure?" My next article about the Wallabies journey to New Zealand 2011 will actually be about JON. Therefore, I will leave this points (many of which are beyond Deans control). I will note a few things though - a team that has such a poor forward pack as the Wallabies would surely benefit from having a Forward as head coach. Does anyone actually think that players like Beale and Cooper need Robbie to coach what they do? I'm sure he helps, and his backing of Cooper is one of the better things he's done, but lets not kid ourselves... "Do you think that Deans understands the Australian psyche and can relate to his players?" There is no doub that Deans relates well to his players. This new generation has consistently stated that they enjoy playing under him. However, part of me thinks that perhaps they enjoy it a bit too much. However, my belief is that whislt he relates well, he probably doesn't understand the Australian pscyhe (or these boys psyche) enough to know what they need. These boys need a headmaster, not a bloke that "empowers them" and lets them "play what's in front of them". "Do you think that Deans is implementing a game plan best suited to his players or he’s trying to mould them into another Crusaders team?" Without a doubt he is not implementing a game plan best suited to the players he should be picking. He may, arguably be using the best game plan he can think of with the talent he sees in front of him, but it is not the right game plan (i.e. I don't think Deans has the right one up his sleeve).
Brett McKay
Guest
yeah, good one Bushy, while I don't necessarily agree with some of them, you present your points quite well here. And as a side, it probably won't matter if Robbie Deans does deliver the RWC, all those dark points you brought up will still be held against him..
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Well written article Bush but I feel like you ended it prematurely. Do you think the ARU got it wrong four years ago with his appointment? Do you think that Deans needs better assistant coaches that offer differing opinions and will challenge his? Do you think that by appointing Deans the ARU has unintentionally revealed the structural problems within the game in Australia? eg. the lack of focus on tight forward development, lack of focus on scrummaging, lack of development in the sevens program and the Australia A team, short sighted plans to sign league players, no domestic national competition structure? Do you think that Deans understands the Australian psyche and can relate to his players? Do you think that Deans is implementing a game plan best suited to his players or he's trying to mould them into another Crusaders team? I'm looking forward to your next piece.