Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes his side will do well at the 2015 Rugby World Cup despite being drawn in the pool of death with England and Wales.
Deans said although he knows his side face tough assignments against two of the northern hemisphere giants there is no point in complaining.
"There will be a lot of comment on our pool without a doubt, based on history, historical strengths and that England are the host nation with Wales in many ways being the second host nation," Deans told Fairfax Media.
"It is going to create a lot of interest, but they are all tough pools. It doesn't matter what pool you're in, it's a tough pool and that's the one thing that has become very clear with the World Cup now.
"There was a lot of comment about there being 20 teams and the suggestions that it was too many because some weren't competitive. There are no suggestions about that now; they're all competitive.
"To win the World Cup, ultimately you've got to play and beat the best."
Deans' young squad reached the semi-finals at last year's World Cup in New Zealand and he is optimistic that they will be at their their peak by 2015.
"I obviously hope so and there is no doubt that they will be a lot more experienced," he said.
"I understand we were the youngest side and the Welsh were the second-youngest at the most recent World Cup.
"The profile of both groups was similar - the English are also replenishing their group - but for the guys who've experienced one World Cup, they'll be better for it.
"We have got the Lions series coming and they'll be better for that as well; there is no reason why they can't be in good shape come the World Cup."
Comments
melkdave says...
Im sure Australia will be ok come the RWC,this last year has been a struggle .Given the amount of injuries ect,but Australia really battled hard ,and ended up with a decent seaon imo.A series whitwash of Wales in the summer,2nd in the RC and a 3/4 wining aurtum series.Did they have a little luck at times ,most probily,but then all teams do And theres still talk about sacking Deans ,Why you would want too is beyond me honestly
Posted 12:45 08th December 2012
Wallaroo says...
If Deans is not the coach, then like scrumpoacher I'd like to see Mallet or the Link get the job. IMHO they are both capable of coaching the Aussie brand and maintain solid defence.
As stated before the one thing which I have missed during Deans tenure is the Aussie brand of back-line play, notwithstanding I am grateful that he has helped us maintain a top 3 position.
Posted 02:42 08th December 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I'm sure the RFU will give the WRU the Wales vs Australia match to play in the Millenium Stadium. its just the neighbourly thing to do. So on paper Oz will be up against it. That will focus the mind. Rugby teams that get written off usually come out playing the best rugby they have in themselves so its a double edged knife. Deans will not mind being given a tough draw. its something to rally around.
Of course, if Robbie loses the lions series next june, I doubt that he'll have to worry about 2015.
Posted 12:31 06th December 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
@scrumpoacher. Your comment displays reasonable thought, so you sound nothing like georges-myth.
@trinats6. Mate - we're as embarrassed as you are. Can't believe a Kiwi would accept that hospital pass...
Posted 06:36 06th December 2012
georgesmith says...
Wallabies will only be okay at the World Cup without the Kiwi-clown R. Deans. This guy has no shame and he is deliberately destroying the Wallabies brand. His teams have lost to Samoa, Scotland (2) and Ireland. Italy and Wales almost beat us last month. R. Deans' teams have no combination or game plan (s). He is a national disgrace. All Australians should gang up and give the loser coach a mighty kick up his ass so he can fly back to where he came from. Bloody pathetic coach. E. McKenzie is heaps better than him because at Super Rugby level, he developed a winning team unlike R. Deans, who acquired fame by using a dozen or so ABs in the Crusaders team. It's not too late to sack him. Now!!!
Posted 04:17 06th December 2012
Fatflanker says...
I don't see too many other genuine coaches kicking the door down to take over - perhaps some recognition that he is doing a fair job of it. Another year with Dingo will be fine - assuming Oz is back to near full strength, a competitive series against the Lions will cement him in or otherwise allow time for a new coach from 2014. I'd suggest the real issue lies with the ARU high performance team. They have been cut way too much slack in getting on top of what is still an appalling lack of depth in international standard front row stocks. for over a decade now. Sir Clive borrowed many innovations from Oz/NZ to build his world-beating England team and we should not be afraid to borrow one or two from him when it comes to attention to details.
Posted 00:38 06th December 2012
Trinats2 says...
passtheball:
Anyone but a kiwi !
Posted 21:17 05th December 2012
Scrumpoacher says...
Nick mallet would be my first choice, yeah he's a pommy-saffer but think he has the goods. Ewan Mckenzie if you want an Aussie to do it...just don't want to come off sounding like jonesy or georgesmith etc :-)
Posted 21:07 05th December 2012
passtheball says...
scrumpoacher - who is your replacement then?
Posted 12:45 05th December 2012
scrumpoacher says...
Hopefully he will be gone by then. I had faith until the spring tour. Losing to France then two narrow escapes. Sure they played a lot of rugby this year but his selections are a just plain weird...
Posted 12:21 05th December 2012
rugby_lord says...
if they get out of the group, high chance they will win it. Its gonna be a good prep that group for the knockout stages.
Posted 08:25 05th December 2012
vaizpatu2011 says...
Australia beat Italy, England and Wales but not France (3/4). NZ beat Italy, Wales and Scotland but not England (3/4). I say Deans is doing something right in the Aussie team. And because of the Pool A situation, Im already feeling sorry for any new coach whom will replace Deans in the 2015 RWC.
Posted 05:32 05th December 2012
rolf says...
who the F... knows today what will be in 2015?
Posted 21:34 04th December 2012
astrospange says...
Blah blah. Deans is looking for positives and all he could come up with was that some of the players that may be playing in the RWC have played in a WC before. They are going to get smoked in the pool stages!
Posted 19:17 04th December 2012