Deans' approach looking less Sharpe

Australia lock Nathan Sharpe has applauded new Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans' less structured approach to the game and predicts the national team will flourish under his leadership.

Australia lock Nathan Sharpe has applauded new Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans' less structured approach to the game and predicts the national team will flourish under his leadership.

The Wallabies play their first Test of the year against Ireland in Melbourne next Saturday and Deans has been putting his new team through the paces in an intensive three-hour training session on Wednesday.

The former Crusaders' mentor repeatedly held court in front of an attentive huddle and Sharpe said his team-mates liked what they are hearing.

“I think one of the most pleasing things for all the guys is that he wants us to play what's in front of us,” Sharpe told Sportal.

“So rather than being really structured and I guess orientated towards playing predetermined phases, he just wants guys in the right position and then make decisions and back yourself basically.

“And that's a good thing for all the boys in the squad to know because if the coach backs you to make the right decisions then 90 per cent of the time hopefully you will.”

Before Deans' arrival, Sharpe played in the green and gold under two coaches – John Connolly and Eddie Jones – but prefers the New Zealander's laid-back approach compared to his predecessors.

“I've played under a few coaches now and they are all very different but I think the one thing about Robbie is that he's a very relaxed guy,” said Sharpe.

“He's got a lot of things that he thinks about but doesn't force that intensity on people.

“From what I can gather already what he wants people to do is just to soak it up as we go along and he's not going to force it on people, he will let people pick it up in their own time.

“It's a very different atmosphere than I'm sure a lot of guys have been used to but it's one that I think the guys are going to learn well and react well to.”