When Robbie Deans was appointed coach of the Wallabies he was hailed as the Messiah. Immediately adopted as ‘Dingo’. And rightly so given his achievements and record.
Now those who even utter a defence of the man are run out of town by a lynch mob. Either that or they are accused of being his lover or worse still, a traitor. But we need someone to blame don’t we?
Well look no further than the players themselves. Their culture, attitude and desire are behind the decline of the Wallaby aura Tim Horan has spoken about this week.
Let’s start with Deans’s record pre Wallabies. I mean he clearly is out of his depth now, he doesn’t know what he’s doing, was never destined to be an international coach but how did he do before he crossed the Tasman?
Some of you may recall that by 2008 he had been the dominant force in developing and leading a Crusaders side that can lay claim to being the best provincial side of the modern era. Talk to any south islander and they will tell you his talent identification, man management and rugby style were second to none.
He was to Christchurch what Wayne Bennett was to Brisbane. Yes he had the McCaws and Carters to lean on, but he developed them. He was there to identify their talent and cultivate it.
So we turn to the obvious next question: why did he succeed in bringing on the Crusaders and fail with the Wallabies?
Let’s look at culture for one. McCaw and Carter became superstars of the game as well as great team men. Watching Carter interviewed on TV at his old man’s pub in rural New Zealand is refreshing. He shows humility, integrity and selflessness despite being the greatest fly-half of his generation.
O’Connor, Cooper and Beale are talented individuals whose understanding of team doesn’t extend beyond being part of ‘The Three Amigos’. I mean those three are really superb players, just ask them! When they aren’t getting their ‘Figjam’ on, they are developing their rugby brand or living it up at pubs in Brisbane long associated with boozed up bogans.
Which brings me to my next point, selections. Of course Deans can’t leave The Three Amigos out of the side, not with the huge ARU contracts they have. But Deans has been mostly condemned for his other selections. Two in particular, McCabe at 12 and the perseverance with McCalman, have been especially controversial. So let’s look at what those two guys have in common. Work ethic, low profiles, heart. You can say they are boring players but they leave it all on the field.
Similarly, the individuals Deans has left out say something about his selection policy too. Take Giteau for example, it’s difficult to find a rugby insider who will say a good word about him. Modest and low profile he was not. Which kind of player do you want in your national side?
I’m sure you’re all saying, “I want players who can win”. Understandable if not overly moral. So let’s move on to the third point – consistency.
We all know what the Three Amigos and the Wallabies are capable of. There was the decimation of France in Paris following the loss to an average English side at Twickenham. Then the first win at altitude in South Africa since who-cares-when, followed by a comprehensive beating by New Zealand. Or how about having the All Blacks in Brisbane and then losing to Samoa a month later? And the Rugby World Cup, lose to Ireland, beat South Africa. It goes on and on.
Some say these losses were about selections and tactics but those people are absolutely wrong. If his tactics and selections are so wrong, why aren’t the Wallabies losing every week? How can they produce efforts like in Paris, Hong Kong, Brisbane and Bloemfontein? The fact is each and every member in the game day squads was good enough to beat Samoa, Scotland and Ireland. Certainly the team as a whole on each occasion was good enough to win.
The up and down yoyo form is about attitude, not Deans’s selection, not Deans’s tactics, not Deans’s ability. This generation of Wallaby players just doesn’t want it badly enough. They lack a burning desire. They are soft. They don’t get team. They have poor values. Sorry, it’s harsh but true.
Deans has tried to instil in each and every one of them a culture. But he is no miracle worker is he? I mean Cooper is practically being raised by Khoder Nasser (what a fine job that man did with Anthony Mundine). O’Connor and Beale seem to hop, skip and jump to wherever the money is. Worse than that, they then treat us all like fools by telling us they moved to Melbourne for their ‘rugby development’. Start pointing the finger at the Khoder Nassers and James O’Connor Snrs of this world. They are raising their children not Robbie Deans.
And what of the alternatives if Deans does go early? Let’s face it, McKenzie is the only alternative and yes he is a good coach. He was sacked by NSW, sacked by Stade Francais but has worked wonders at the Reds. It just shows how long five years is in Rugby.
Let’s hope the lynch mob doesn’t turn on him without first asking questions of the players if things don’t go according to plan when he gets his chance.
Crockycrocky
Guest
Agree fully Will that the players need to shoulder some responsibility. Cheika, Johnson and Friend have actually all done well with their respective 'no name' teams in the Northern Hemisphere. And Jake Whites no nonsense style way with the Brumbies seems to be working well this season with a whole lot of 'no name' fresh faces. Even he though had troubles with his older 'more experienced' players back in SA. Agree that the coaches have a role to play with the team culture but they can only do so much if the 'stars' won't buy in or support.
RoryG
Guest
Just read the Cooper has stated he and Beale were just doing what young blokes do. I am 60 next birthday, been doing what young blokes do for better than 40 years. I love a beer and a good time, always have, always will. Been in pubs till closing time in Australia, UK, Africe, America, most countries in Europe.Been asked to leave many pubs, but only after they close. Always left when asked. These guys are not doing what young blokes do, they are little (can't use the poo word can I). Time the ARU realized that we, the rugby supporting public have had a gut full. Tonight Barnes stood up, get rid of these 2 posers and lets all get on with enjoying Australian rugby, we don't need "the three amigos", and don't want them either.
Jocko
Guest
Too many lazy logs who don't want to do the work. Waratahs rubbish player power crap. Note white housecleaned at Brumbies, now winning. Deans was lumbered with the most useless backs- no team skills, Knuckles kick it to buggery Conolly was no help and Eddie had his head in too many scrums. Note that the Brumbies players sacked a coach who won them the 14, Waratahs sacked McKenzie who got them to the finals. No backline skills anywhere at provincial level-good players yes- so what has Deans to work with? NSW should bring on the Randwick "if you don't regather the kick you are dropped next week" rule.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Again, not true - McKenzie had Stade playing some very good running rugby, hence the amounts of points scored during his tenure. The real issue was defensive frailties.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Doesn't make sense, mate.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I've only seen a handful of comments on this site re: foreign coaches, so to refer only to xenophobia for all is quite clearly inappropriate, especially when that person constantly repeats the same comment without ever expanding upon it. Never seen so much vitriol? That's just plain wrong. If you think it's pompous then I guess you've had a sheltered life. Your 'argument' is all over the place.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Here we go. I find it offensive that some joker keeps on trotting out the same bizarre accusations when he probably doesn't have the first clue about racism. It's cringeworthy.
Snobby Deans
Guest
Harry - the difference I guess between Aussie and NZ is that, if Aussie went into a depression every time they lost, they'd never come out of it. NZ is no different passion-wise than those AFL fanatics - only difference is, all of NZ is behind the one team and suffers the heartbreak as one. If all of Victoria was behind a single team and lost on the international stage (Oops, AFL doesn't have that other than the farcical games with Ireland), then you'd see that same level of passion. You don't see that in Rugby as there's a far wider spread of sports, and also the Aussie fans are more fickle - most jump ship as soon as their team loses. As a Kiwi, I hurt when the All Blacks lose (a lot less than I used to), but I contrast that with the joy when they win. It's great to invest yourself emotionally in your team, and to know that there are millions of others who have that same passion. BTW - I struggle so see the segue from the earlier comments to yours. Just seems a bit like a random dig, and a pretty poor one at that.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
mate, lots of people who don't like Deans openly state their preference for an Australian coach. There is a level of xenophobia in this (fear of foreigners). It doesn't mean every single rugby support has to have this view for it to be valid. Your comments are pompous in the extreme. In terms of support, I have never seen so much vitriol posted against an Australian coach, not even Jones, and he deserved it.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
The fact that you are offended by the word xenophobic is offensive in itself.
Aussie Fan Club
Guest
Great article, however Deans has a big part in creating the team culture, maybe he doesnt understand how to manage these players, they need a shake up, a more Jake White style no nonsense approach would be better, permanently removing quade cooper would also help things
El Gamba
Roar Guru
Some good points in the article and the response is interesting, as always on the Roar! If I was a bookie, Scotland would've been favourite on Tuesday and the Welsh favourites for at least tonight's game. Any disagreement to this assumes reputation and a rating system given too much credit. Those Australians who disagree and are looking for a scapegoat, be it coach or players, need to take a step back and apply some perspective. Also, give it a few games so that we can actually see where the Wallabies are at. Those Kiwi's who disagree probably need to examine their motives as to why they care about the Wallabies. Mostly the vitriol levelled at Deans by this quarter reeks of sour grapes that he left the shaky isles at all. That Australians don't like having a foreign coach is spouted regularly, it is often the kiwi's pushing this line. I'd be very interested in how many of these kiwi experts, so quick to get on these forums and lay in their ten cents worth about the woes of Australian rugby, actually live in NZ - and why they don't! I for one will be at Suncorp tonight, wearing gold and supporting MY team through thick and thin. Go boys.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
nos Mckenzie's gameplan was very much just the up and under back then, but since radically evolved to far more running at the Reds. A big and curious transformation.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I would say some proof either way will be forthcoming tomorrow but next week would be a better proof.
Nick
Guest
No thats not true. Kiwi fans are very loyal to the All Blacks but definitely take things a little too seriously if the wheels come off. For an example of how the tide has turned in NZ you only have to look to the polls that wanted, overwhelmingly, Henry and co to stay on after the 2007 RWC instead of a change to Deans. The vast majority of fans wanted them to have another shot even though it was our worst effort to date. Thats a huge change in attitude in NZ and it proved to be the right one.
Nick
Guest
Yep. Perfect description. Strangely disjointed and directionless too but decidedly underwhelming and disappointing is a great call.
Nick
Guest
Most of KPMs comments about the subject are extraordinarily odd. essentially he lists excises as to why the Wallabies should beat good teams. Small Player pool Sometimes it rains and they have to play Everyone is mean to Robbie I don't get it, do you want a coach to make your team better or do you want one that confirms the fact you're not a great side? Esstially it doesn't matter if Deans is good or not, he's not delivered and he's had 4 years to turn it around. Give someone else a go. Surely that makes sense?
Nick
Guest
Nah thats not it KPM. Its cos he keeps losing matches he should win and his team so often looks headless. He was appointed to win, not to sort out which of the excuses is the best one.
Harry
Guest
No hDeans got more praise than flack for that decision. What ire there was was directed at JOC for weakening the Walls when we had the rare opportunity to win something of note. Its hard enough without weakening from within.
Harry
Guest
Give it a break mate. Your entire country has a nervous breakdown and goes into depression when you lose. Who can ever forget those excruciating press conferences and apologies to the nation in 99, 03 and 07. Followed by vicious infighting and personal abuse/denigration of the worst order. Even this year we've seen it with Auckland imploding.