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Veteran All Blacks centre Conrad Smith believes a Wallabies side coached by Ewen McKenzie will provide a greater attacking threat than Robbie Deans could muster.
Smith says the blueprint new Australian coach McKenzie introduced when taking over at the Queensland Reds in 2010 is sure to get an airing in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney next month.
The Reds have honed their style around the speed and variety of playmakers Will Genia and Quade Cooper, leading them to the 2011 Super Rugby title and into the playoffs in two subsequent seasons.
“The style showed with the Reds, it might affect the way the Wallabies play, which I think will be a big challenge for the All Blacks,” Smith said.
The Rugby Championship opener on August 17 will be the first in charge for McKenzie after replacing New Zealander Deans in the wake of the Wallabies’ 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions.
Deans’ 5-1/2 years at the helm were marred by a dreadful record against New Zealand.
Australia never threatened to end the All Blacks’ decade-long reign as Bledisloe Cup holders, losing 15 of 18 trans-Tasman Tests.
Smith expects McKenzie to restore Cooper at first five-eighth and to hit the right psychological note with the players coming off their Lions disappointment.
“Generally, when you change the coach under those sort of circumstances, it normally brings a team together and makes them have a bit more fire in the belly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett is in no doubt Deans will be in demand as a coach throughout the rugby world.
Former hooker Hammett played under Deans at both Crusaders and All Blacks level before joining him as a Crusaders assistant coach.
Hammett was unsure what the 53-year-old’s next move would be after six years in “intense working conditions”.
“He’ll sit back and reassess. He’ll be a hell of a lot better for the time he spent over there.
“There’s no doubt he’s a very valuable man, a valuable coach, but sometimes it doesn’t matter if you’re doing a good job or a bad job, that’s the reality of our position.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.