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Robbie Deans has two years to move up the pecking order of Wallaby coaches. Currently number six, he’s a far better coach than that standing suggests.
Deans hasn’t won five Super titles with the Crusaders, the toughest rugby tournament on the planet, without talent.
He has two more years under contract with the ARU.
Whether he continues beyond 2013 will be up to both parties, with Ewen McKenzie nipping at his heels.
One thing for sure, Deans will want to improve on his 58.20% win-rate in whatever time he has left.
He trails Rod Macqueen’s table-topping 79.01%, with 34 wins from 43 internationals.
Alan Jones is next with 76.67% (23-30), John Connelly 63.64% (14-23), Greg Smith 63.16% (12-19), Bobby Dwyer 63.01% (46-73), then Deans with 32 wins from 55.
On the 2012 schedule before the end-of-season northern hemisphere tour, the Wallabies will play three Tests each against the All Blacks and Wales, two each against the Boks, and Argentina, and one against Scotland.
The men-in-black have been Kiwi-born-and-bred Deans’ nemesis. In 15 meetings on the Deans watch, the All Blacks have won 12, including 10 on the trot from July 2009 to September 2010.
The reigning world champions will again be the ultimate litmus test for the Wallabies.
But to compete on a level playing field, Deans must have his best players available. Right now that prospect is decidedly gloomy.
Winger Lachie Turner is definitely out for the season with a badly torn hamstring. The same may yet apply to lock Dan Vickerman’s leg and hooker Damien Fitzpatrick’s knee.
Winger Drew Mitchell (ankle), fly-half Quade Cooper (leg), and Rocky Elsom (hamstring) are unknown quantities in the foreseeable future.
Queensland’s Faingaa brothers – Saia (ankle), and Anthony (neck) – missed last week’s clash with the Force.
On the brighter side, Berrick Barnes (groin) and Kurtley Beale (hamstring) are due to make their first appearances of the season this weekend in Super Rugby.
But there’s a big question mark over both. Groins and hammies are notorious for reoccurring, so understandably both will be a bit tentative.
Not a pretty picture for Robbie Deans, but he can only work with the “cattle” he has available.
Or will he be hoping for cometh the hour cometh the man from the many fringe candidates?