Deans: 'Little difference between the two'
Having only been in charge for a matter of weeks, which has seen one Test win to date, Australia coach Robbie Deans has said there is little difference between Australian and New Zealand players.
Having only been in charge for a matter of weeks, which has seen one Test win to date, Australia coach Robbie Deans has said there is little difference between Australian and New Zealand players.
New Zealand-born Deans, who was capped for the All Blacks at full-back, has praised his new players for their willingness to listen, learn and contribute to the bigger picture.
Having lead the Crusaders to yet another Super 14 title this season Deans jumped ship and took charge of Australia, winning his only Test in charge thus far, against Ireland last weekend.
In the short time Deans has been in Australia there has been one question asked more than the rest.
“One of the questions I've been repeatedly asked since the time we first assembled two-and-a-half weeks ago is with regards to the differences between Australian players and their New Zealand counterparts I've coached previously,” Deans told the AAP.
“To be honest, there is no great difference.”
Relieved rather than exhilarated by a gritty 18-12 win over Ireland in his first Test as coach, Deans said he was proud to be involved with the Wallabies.
“Success in any team-orientated sport comes down to a willingness to listen, learn, contribute and work with others,” he said. “These traits are present in this group.
“We have been excited by the players receptiveness to new ideas and their willingness to participate in discussions and offer their thoughts.
“This even came down to the singing of the national anthem after our win in Melbourne, which was sung with great gusto by everyone who was involved.
“It is a group I am proud to be associated with.”
Despite admitting his side looked a little rusty at times Deans could not fault the defensive effort his side came up with under relentless pressure in the final ten minutes.
“I couldn't have been happier with the commitment the entire squad showed in the build up to, and during my maiden Test as coach,” he said.
“This manifested itself most visually in the defensive effort, which unquestionably proved decisive in winning us the contest.
“The fact that the game ended with a string of 18 consecutive phases of Irish possession, and yet they could find no way through as our players repeatedly rose to make tackle after tackle, spoke volumes for the attitude that has already built up within our group.”
Deans described top-tier Test rugby as a “take no prisoners” battle and was grateful for the tough first-up encounter.
“Ireland did us a great service by providing such a rousing work out,” he said.
“As much as we all desired to produce our best straight off the cuff, it was realistically never going to be like that.
“Mistakes and short-comings had to be expected on our part, even without allowing for the commitment and tenacity of the Irish, which was every bit as whole-hearted as we had anticipated it would be.”