3 . coopz 08 Sep 2012 06:53 PM
Deans is a world class coach but has just had a horror run with Australia
But if he had a record like that and was the coach of the all blacks he probably would have got the boot along time ago... I think Aussie rugby has been gettn weaker... Or maybe it's just inconsistency it's either really good and no team would have a show or it's a shocker and Japan could prob beat them... Oh well good luck to Robbie hope he piks them up

1 . deep 30 Aug 2012 09:24 AM
It's a conundrum! Oz sit ranked second in the world, yet Dean's gets knocked as a failure. They won last year's Trinations and came 3rd in the 2011 RWC. But they also fairly recently got beaten by Samoa and Scotland, and can't get a look-in against NZ.

Deans is no longer in his local town, no longer in his local culture and like minded people. He struggled with this issue when assisting Mitchell as the AB's coach - heck they resorted to picking the Canterbury team as the AB's due to their lack of ability to bring together all of the county's finest talents.

He hasn't always been able to deal with outspoken personalities in the Australian environment either. Matt Giteau should have been part of the mix for much longer, and guys like Beale seem to be struggling with discipline. Compare with the likes of Henry and Wayne Smith who somehow manage to always find a way to get the best out of everyone - just look at SBW, a guy who could easily have fallen out of favour but instead was given an environment that saw him flourish.

Deans is a damn good coach, there's no doubt about that, but he's not infallible. His primary weaknesses is now being exposed, which is his difficulty with fitting into foreign environments. He is fast reaching the crossroad - either he will either finish creating an environment that suits him, or he won't get there and will be shown the door. Personally I think it's more likely the latter, but equally will never write him off.