In light of the fiasco playing out in the Wallaby management and squad this week and the general decline of the team, the question has to be asked: if another coach were in charge from now until the World Cup, would the team’s chances of winning be greater?
The answer would seem to be yes.
A second question inevitably follows: which coach would dramatically raise the team’s chances of succeeding?
Aside from having kept the team ranked second for most of his final period as coach for the Wallabies, Robbie Deans appears to stand the best chance of maximising the team’s potential.
He has coached them for several years and knows the players, the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and how they function against their regular adversaries better than anyone else. A different candidate would have to come new to the post.
Such a change would be a stop-gap measure. It wouldn’t mean the reinsertion of Deans permanently as coach, not least as he might wish to finish his time quickly to later coach the All Blacks. A successor may take Deans’ place immediately after the tournament, with a full four-year cycle to build a new team.
Deans would be on a one-year contract with the limited aim of winning the World Cup.
Such an aim is not to be disregarded. Even if it does not lead to the immediate further ascendancy of the team, it creates a vast wave of enthusiasm for the code in Australia. Indeed, it’s arguable that much of the high profile and growth of rugby in the early years of professionalism was simply a result of the vast excitement that came with taking the grand crown of the sport.
In business, finite managers are often brought in to quickly turn around failing companies, and this would be no different. It’s a short-term solution to a short-term project, which would not mean a continuation after its purpose was fulfilled. And that project is how to give the team the greatest chance of winning the greatest prize in the code.
Greg
Guest
If it looks like , sounds like , smells like, behaves like .........then it probably is
Greg
Guest
not sure the Aust cricket team would agree with this??!! :))
Graeme
Guest
The mere suggestion that Robbie Deans should be appointed is absurd. To believe that he'd actually stoop so low as to take it is an arrogance. Robbie was unceremoniously dumped by the ARU. I'd be astounded beyond description if he accepted any such offer. Do we really think that he's so hard up as to overlook the humiliation suffered at our hands?
Loosey
Guest
NO Deans was a great coach, but like any KIWI, if a team doesn't FEAR the ABs, he thinks it is wrong. When Deans was coach, I never heard the Wallabies talk about RESPECTING the ABs so much, it was embarrassing. Deans taught the Wallabies to fear the All Blacks, it is a known fact. I'm not just talking about his infamous comment after the first victory.
Dru
Guest
It depends how you define it BBK. And it's also the fact that we have not kept even our second string in the positions you mention. Again depending on how you define. And at Captain how many have we turned over? Surprised you didn't mention Genia. And then in the locks we miss Mowen, and Horwill (not on form). While no 8 has an arguable pecking order its a position that is impacted with injury. Add for different reasons, Honey Badger (not first string perhaps, but definitely second and would be playing, I think) and Speight. For that matter I would add O'Conner and Digby. An international team has to survive with injuries and losses, but we again seem to be hit hard. But so was Dean's. And it doesn't get any easier with our World Cup pool.
Bob McGregor
Guest
This is an excellent assessment/summation Johnno. I agree with everything highlighted therein. One point that has not been amplified by any posters has been the performance of the Chairman of the ARU, Hawker. He was an abject failure as CEO of the IAG Insurance [old NRMA] and it took many years to rebuild after his tenure. As so often happens, his failure was rewarded in the Chair at the ARU. Personally, I like to see a total spill of the ARU - Chair, CEO and coach. Roger Davis has the credentials to take over the Chair. He has performed well since appointed at the Tahs. I'd let him appoint the CEO and encourage Deans back until after the RWC 2015. Deans knows how to manage highly spirited young men and I'm sure the fiasco observed since Link took over would not be repeated. Another proviso though - Deans must not be shackled by the ARU insisting who his peripheral staff must be. He must choose. So let's hear it: "Bring back Robbie"!
Bob McGregor
Guest
Your assessment Harry, as I understand it, is spot on. Robbie Deans was SUPPOSEDLY sacked because we lost the Lions series. Well if Beale had worn the correct studs in Brisbane we would have won the First Test and wrapped up the series in Melbourne. Many Lions supporters commented to me after Melbourne how many points we left on the pitch in Brisbane. They couldn't believe their luck. With rumours circulating Deans was to be the scapegoat, the players knew their 'fate'. And they played accordingly in the third Test. As I've often quoted on this site since 2006/7 - we get what we deserve.
HARRY
Guest
Yep
HARRY
Guest
and I'd heard Jake White was coming over here until the Pumas rolled Aust too!
HARRY
Guest
Or Hoss and Little Jo, I reckon they'd even do a better job!
HARRY
Guest
Obvious choice? I dont think so. He won a super title based on Phil Mooneys groundwork and before that was sacked (and not liked by players) at Stade Francais and the Tahs (look at Phil Waughs speech after the losing final in 2008. He mentions everyone except the coach - yep, Ewen). And I think if you start asking artound in QLD rugby you'll find they were glad to see him go too. He was the obvious choice to Silly Billy Pulver, a few hack journos and the anti Kiwi mb who couldnt cope with a non australian in the job. He pushed himself forward and now , as he put it, the results (both on and off the field) are speaking for themselves. Robbie Deans wont come back, Jake White may, Michael Cheika will wait to post world cup and the ARU couldnt afford them anyway. Sadly we're stuck with him.
Hamo style
Guest
Deans & Cheika could work, certainly Link can't walk the talk....the master underminder when Deans was in charged. That's my opinion on the matter.
canadiankiwi
Guest
A traitor like Graham Henry, who was vilified by the NZRU when he left to coach Wales in 1990s, or the other traitor that followed him to Wales in early 2000s- Steve Hansen?
macca
Guest
try this then... Coach:Cheika 1. Slipper 2. Moore (C) 3. Palmer 4. Douglas 5. Skelton 6. Mowen 7. Pocock 8. Palu 9. Genia 10. Cooper (VC) 11. O'Conner 12. Kurindrani 13. Folau 14. Speight 15. Beale 16. P-N 17. Sio 18. Kepu 19. Jones 20. Higginbotham 21. Hooper 22. AAC 23. Phipps
G_beard
Guest
At 6, hold a spot for Angus Cottrell.
superba
Guest
The SA Rugby constitution forbids it .Must be a Saffa .No blow ins .
superba
Guest
what is the outcome of yanking your chain meneer ?
superba
Guest
Deans beat SA several times in the Peter de Villiers era .A dysfunctional period when the Boks were coaching themselves but nevertheless gave a good account of themselves at times .Whether Deans would have got the same outcomes and kept the WBs at number 2 against a Meyer coached SA side exercises the mind .
Canetragic
Guest
and fourth - I doubt the ARUs pockets are deep enough to make it worthwhile to Deans - assuming RTs points 1 - 3 can be overcome
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The undermining could well have had significant effect on results.