Deans in no danger of axe
23 Nov 2009
Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill says that coach Robbie Deans’s job is safe despite a season of poor results.
The Wallabies were woeful in their 9-8 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday, and Deans has an ordinary record of just 14 victories and a draw from 27 Tests since taking over last year. Under his leadership they have won just two of their last 10 Tests, including winning just one match in the Tri-Nations.
O’Neill said he was ‘devastated’ by the loss, but he refuted the suggestion that Deans, who is contracted until after the 2011 World Cup, was in danger of losing his job.
‘We have every confidence in Robbie Deans being the right coach for us,’ O’Neill told the Sydney Morning Herald.
O’Neill explained that there would be a review of the season with Deans and leading officials from the ARU after their year-end tour, but stressed that it wouldn’t be an attack on the coach.
‘The results are clearly disappointing and not acceptable,” O’Neill said. ‘We have two more games to go on the tour and rest assured we will be reviewing every aspect of this tour. [High Performance manager] David Nucifora, myself, Robbie Deans and the ARU board will have a good, hard look at what is going wrong.
‘It will be an objective, balanced assessment of the pros and cons of this entire season. It will take in all of the Test matches starting from June and finish off with this tour. ‘It is crucial that we are really confrontational with every aspect of “Team Wallaby”.’
Defeat in the midweek fixture against Cardiff on Tuesday is sure to heap additional pressure on Deans. However, he has named a young but competent side to face the Blues.
Australia - 15 James O’Connor, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tyrone Smith, 11 Kurtley Beale, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 Matt Hodgson, 6 Mitchell Chapman, 5 Dean Mumm (c), 4 Dave Dennis, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Pek Cowan.
Subs: 16 Salesi Ma’afu, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Mark Chisholm, 19 George Smith, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Quade Cooper, 22 Luke Morahan.
189 Comments
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23 Nov 2009, 19:46 pm
@WakaNathan: Ag Siestog!! I understand.
Must agree your approach is stupid though.
23 Nov 2009, 19:47 pm
@WakaNathan: Oh you ***…let’s see how fresh yr AB’s are against France at the end of seeing their collective asses against the Boks in the 3N’s
23 Nov 2009, 19:51 pm
Pain is a terrible thing.
23 Nov 2009, 19:51 pm
I have stated before that I believe the current quality of AB’s are not good enough do dominate the game as before and the lack of quality in depth is alarming. They have no decent scrum half, nor a replacement for Carter and no decent replacement for Mccaw as skipper.
They have a poor lock combimation, for the first time in many a year no world class No8.
They will still be good enough to beat most NH sides (france game will be interesting) but any AB supporter should be really concerned !!!! This lack of depth of world class players is not something NZ are used to.
The Air New Zealand competition produced poor rugby, poor crowds and generally a poor advertisment for the game.
Be intersting to see how NZ react, however i predict come 2011 that the AB’s will still only have one WC win !!
23 Nov 2009, 19:51 pm
@fsjakes:
How convenient, then, that you were unhappy with my windowboxing the Boks season 1 minute, and yet refusing to acknowledge Frances superiority because it is limited solely to “better team ON THE DAY”.
My, those double-standards do tend to creep in dont they.
The Boks have lost the last 3 matches to France, home and away. And yet youre so incapable of acknowledging a superior team – exactly what youve accused me of doing – that you need to qualify and limit it as ‘on the day’.
Best get your own story completely right before you question mine.
23 Nov 2009, 19:55 pm
@Storm outta hell:
Stefan didn’t make the side because he’s retiring next year and isn’t exactly an investment for 2011. Adi is currently an experiment at 12.
The dirtrackers were picked from our 3rd tier options intentionally. If you wait, the S14 next year will be the real proving ground for the WC possibles, not this years CC.
23 Nov 2009, 19:55 pm
@WakaNathan: Fresh is relative…we at the end of a long hard season…the NH punks are at the peak of their conditioning….lets leave the grocery store outta this…
23 Nov 2009, 19:58 pm
@justrugby:
We might have no able replacements for Tom, **** and Harry. But atleast those replacements didnt lose back-to-back games against Engl Club teams.
Take 2 players out of this Bok team – JdV and Frans scored 14pts between them in the 3pt-victory at Hamilton – and the good Ship Springbok looks far less ominous and struggling in chopping waters. Just as the ABs did earlier in the year without Dan Carter, a long list of injuries and a lengthy number of unavail star players.
2010 should be a fascinating season indeed. Lets see whether this overseas Bok players remain ‘un’ available.
23 Nov 2009, 20:02 pm
@David: Sure…but he was the in-form FB in the super 14…and logically you gotta play your best to beat the best…therefore we still playing with an achilles heel…and if it was not for injuries and suspensions during the B&L tour we’d probably still be stuttering along with a really bad bunch of selections
23 Nov 2009, 20:03 pm
@Storm outta hell:
Why do you say ‘we at the end of a long season’ ?
at the end of TriN’09, The Wallabies/ABs/Boks played exactly the same no of matches.
Subsequently, the Boks have 3 Test matches on NH tour. The Wallabies have 4. And the ABs have 5 plus BaaBaa’s.
Doesnt that make the Boks season the shortest ?
And, therefore, freshest ?
23 Nov 2009, 20:03 pm
@WakaNathan: Your arguement is once again completely illogical. We are talking about the 2009 seoson.
Yes, we have lost the past three times we played France. The previous two times were under a different coach a FEW years ago! How on earth can that have ANY relevance on the Boks achievements in 2009.
If we use your logic, which is: France beat SA in one game and you ask me: “Who is the best, SA or France?” I must then reply France or my story isn’t straight and I subscribe to double standards.
Answer this: Who is the best team: SA or NZ?
23 Nov 2009, 20:04 pm
@WakaNathan:
Half of those midweek guys were never considered replacements. They were players who PdeV wanted to get a better look at, because their provincial coaches gave them little game time.
If we wanted to take a complete backup side on tour there would have been far different choices.
23 Nov 2009, 20:09 pm
@David:
David, every squad of 35ish has players that the selectors ‘want to get a better look at’. The ABs have picked many NPC-level players who havent shone/played in S14. Theyve previously picked players like Toeava aged 18 as a ‘Special Project’. So have the Aussies, they have even plucked guys below at local clubs directly in to the Wallabies. Stop making out SA/Boks is some special case applying different methods, theyre not.
23 Nov 2009, 20:11 pm
@Storm outta hell:
A lot depends on the purpose of the tour from the coaches side.
Jake took weakened teams on tour but was eventually justified when we won the WC. Why not give PdeV the same latitude? If players like Bakkies, FdP etc. had been rested at home we would have seen far more of the best CC players included.
23 Nov 2009, 20:11 pm
@WakaNathan: That may be so…but the Bulls/Boks played in super 14 semi-finals and finals and Currie Cup semi-finals and finals and won both of them whilst the cream of the AB’s were putting their feet up
23 Nov 2009, 20:13 pm
@WakaNathan:
Yip, the differnce is that with the Boks we have been “band aiding ” for years and have become used to it, and we do it with great success.
This is unchartered waters for the AB’s and I don’t think they will react as well……… will be interesting though !!
23 Nov 2009, 20:15 pm
@WakaNathan:
If you consider the number of players they selected, then that is a different approach to the ones you mentioned. As far as I’m concerned, the midweek matches weren’t genuine Springbok sides, unless you want to be pedantic about it.
23 Nov 2009, 20:16 pm
@David: Agreed…but that’s my point exactly….our known talent should have been rested and the stand-out CC players should have been selected ie smokin’ Joe Pieterson
23 Nov 2009, 20:26 pm
@Storm outta hell:
I agree, but they weren’t rested and how would that have fitted in with your claim that we should play our best? The chances are we would have lost against France, possibly Italy, and Ireland. Then what would this blog have looked like?
The squad against France was the best of the experienced players available, and for whatever reason we lost. Thank God it wasn’t the WC QF.
23 Nov 2009, 20:34 pm
@WakaNathan: You WakaNathan, I am man enough to say that NZ is a great rugby nation. They have achieved much in world rugby, especially in 3N rugby. They have been the best team in the world since the start of professionalism. I am sure that they will continue to be a force to be reconed with and a team we can learn from.
I bet you, you won’t be able to JUST compliment the Boks on a great 2009 seoson (because they deserve it), without having to point to their weaknesses or any of their losses or try and boost the AB’s.
So, lets just stop this arguement. Because, until you are man enough to JUST compliment a fellow supporter of another team, your opinions, comments, arguements, views, etc means absolutely nothing!
23 Nov 2009, 20:47 pm
@David: Point made…but had we played the best of the CC ie combination WP/Cheetah scrum we would not have been embarassed by Tigers/Sarrascens/France…and we’d certainly give the Irish a go…too much talent was left behind…and it shows
23 Nov 2009, 20:56 pm
some breaking news….News conference at Loftus tomorrow….the new D O R will be announced , Heyneke Meyer.
23 Nov 2009, 20:59 pm
Next years super 14 will be a massive battle for fringe Bok WC spots…
23 Nov 2009, 21:00 pm
@grant10: Was it ever going to be anyone else?
23 Nov 2009, 21:02 pm
@Storm outta hell:
To be honest, I doubt whether any of the CC players would have made a difference against France. None of the props have any experience at test level.
Anyway, I’m off.
23 Nov 2009, 21:04 pm
@fsjakes: it is interesting …the new structures that is…
WP…Rassie…A Coetsee Head coach
Bulls…H M …F Ludeks head coach
Lions….D M …Hans Van Dyk…head coach…
Sharks and Cheetahs still the ‘old’ structure….
23 Nov 2009, 21:07 pm
@grant10: True, doesn’t Strauli kind of fullfil that role for Sharks?
I don’t think the Cheetahs have the money to have D O R.
23 Nov 2009, 21:08 pm
@grant10:
Hi Boet …….think Straueli is DOR at Sharks ??
23 Nov 2009, 21:12 pm
@justrugby: Hi boet
Not sure…i do know he oversees the recruitment and structures…so you probably right…..
Did you cruise home Sunday or was it close??
23 Nov 2009, 21:14 pm
@grant10: Who do you rate for S14 next year?
I think Bulls will once again be up there. Probably not as strong as this year.
I think Sharks is going to struggle. They haven’t looked at improving their attacking play. It’s going to bite them again next year.
Stormers is finally going to have the season they’ve been promising.
Cheethas will do better than before. Their squad has more depth, Naka in his third year. Might surprise a few people.
I can’t see the Lions do anything.
23 Nov 2009, 21:15 pm
@grant10:
Quite close, had to pull out all the stops on last 9 !!!
23 Nov 2009, 21:17 pm
@fsjakes: Bulls a gap year next year. They have earned it.
23 Nov 2009, 21:20 pm
@fsjakes:
warned you…don’t bother debating with the cop-out king.
waka will twist every argument so that he doesn’t have to admit that the all blacks were the boks ******* this season.
funny as hell to read and watch
23 Nov 2009, 21:23 pm
@fsjakes: Bulls have a dream draw….and will buy a bit still….great structures….need a tighthead….talk of Hayman going to Bulls….Gary Botha, Jaco VD Westhuise…..clever buys….Fatigue there biggest enemy….must be favorites….
Stormers…need a class 10….BJ and / or CJ would of helped….but they in with a shout….maybe top 4…
Lions….need some acquisitions…talk of J Smit perhaps going to 2 and captaining Lions…read We Talk Rugby….interesting. D Muir will sign a few players…of that i am sure….may just be the dark horses….but realistically a year too soon.
Cheetahs…will huff and puff and shock here and there but they struggle for some reason against the overseas teams??
Sharks….well Ludick and Alberts training with Sharks….as is G Mostert…..
They have the money, may also buy to reinforce the backs….but for me there achilles heel will be there front row….Smit and Jannie Du Plessis weak ….and Bissy is guaranteed the 2 spot…..Sharks are suspect….
Stormers and Bulls best bets i reckon….Bulls to retain it!
23 Nov 2009, 21:23 pm
@charo:
LOL………..he does appear to be the a master of evasion !!
23 Nov 2009, 21:25 pm
@justrugby: who was pushing you….junior?
23 Nov 2009, 21:26 pm
kiwis will never admit to F all!!
Why bother??
3 nil
23 Nov 2009, 21:27 pm
@charo: The guy is chop sometimes, but when ot really counts, just dissapears. Anyway, he knows we owned them and that we know he knows…
23 Nov 2009, 21:27 pm
@Kronung: Yep…Stormers to top the log and take the Currie Cup
23 Nov 2009, 21:28 pm
@Storm outta hell: Ummmm…WP to bring the CC back home
23 Nov 2009, 21:29 pm
@grant10:
Nah………..he had a shocker !!!
23 Nov 2009, 21:30 pm
@justrugby: Sat nites kill the Juniors!!
Well done…decent prizes??
23 Nov 2009, 21:30 pm
@fsjakes:
like i said, go read nzherald dot co dot nz.
it will open your eyes.
nz public are fed amazing propaganda every day about the all blacks.
sad, really, when a nation has bugger all else to look up to
23 Nov 2009, 21:32 pm
@justrugby:
yeah and meant to be some sort of investment guru.
would you trust your last $ with him?
23 Nov 2009, 21:33 pm
@grant10: Nope…the days of the Bulls winning by one or two points are over….Habana going to haunt ‘em…WP dominance in scrums emerging…it’s a new era
23 Nov 2009, 21:35 pm
@grant10:
No…….just blazer (ala the masters ) and trophy which will be handed out at our year end function on Frid night !!
23 Nov 2009, 21:36 pm
@Storm outta hell: from your lips to the rugby Gods ears!!
Hope so….
But those Bulls are clever…and with H Meyer back….?
Lets put it this way….if i had to bet my last R10….Bulls would get my vote….
but not my support….unless against the kiwi and aussie teams of course
23 Nov 2009, 21:36 pm
@charo:
That explains a lot !!
23 Nov 2009, 21:37 pm
@justrugby: still awesome…..cool my man!
23 Nov 2009, 21:38 pm
Bulls had some lucky breaks and Morne.
Won’t work two years in a row.
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