The problem I have with this, is that his alternative options had just as many question marks.
I don't get the urgency to sack him.
I didn't agree with the way he was re appointed,and I don't want his successor being appointed in the same manner.
There should be a proper and transparent process to select the future Wallabies coach.
If he is to go, the new guy should pick the squad for the EOY tour.
Disagree 100% that the alternatives had as many or more question marks.
At 10? To'omua or Cooper were both much less controversial options than JOC (James O'Connor). Most of the opposition to Cooper comes from irrational Cooper hate or a more balanced view that Cooper makes too many errors for test football. You know what you get with Cooper so you can plan to include him with the right game plan and take the errors, or take To'omua and more territory orientated game plan. (I realise you are a Cooper hater, so don't agree with me, but frankly taking the effective incumbent prior to his injury, warts and all, is less a gamble than a guy in JOC (James O'Connor)'s situation.) No doubt Deans' personal situation with Cooper ruled Cooper out from the get go.
JOC (James O'Connor) was just about the worst option, especially as JOC (James O'Connor) played poorly at 10 for the Rebels during the Super 15 season. None of the vision at 10, none of the game management abilities, no ability to link with his outside backs, and worse tactical kicking (although arguably better clearing kicks). All of this shown in his games for the Rebels at 10 this year, so why anyone expected different for the Wallabies is beyond me.
In the end, Cooper, To'omua and Foley all had better games as 10s vs the BILs than JOC (James O'Connor), and Deans no doubt watched them all do it, too. I also have no doubt that Deans is too stubborn to admit they did. In my mind the biggest selection issues with Cooper were caused by Deans himself, who gave excuses all year as to why Cooper would not be picked.
Beale? No-one would've batted an eye lid if Beale wasn't selected, or blamed Deans for not selecting Beale. Deans put himself in a losing situation if Beale didn't perform. It was a pure gamble on a guy with an alcohol problem just out of rehab, a guy who had barely played in months due to injury and suspension due to his alcohol issues. In the end, Beale made as many or more mistakes than Cooper would have anyway.
McCabe was a favourite pick pure and simple. Horne, for example, was a better pick for the bench as he had shown better form all year and had actually played a lot more, including starting for his province.
Barnes at fullback was the least controversial, but still not a great selection in many's (including my own) eyes.
Folau at fullback, JOC (James O'Connor) at right wing playing a second fullback role, To'omua or Cooper at 10, Beale left playing club rugby in Sydney to rehab. edit: I'll even put Barnes on the bench, where he made huge difference to the Tahs in the second half but stank when he started. There you go; selections done without the controversy and a shitload less questions, the only real one being Folau at fullback.
In my eyes Deans gambled on JOC (James O'Connor), Beale, Barnes, McCabe and so on, and lost. No doubt Deans (and some here) didn't see them as a gamble, but a gamble they were.
Agree that the replacement should not be rushed. There's really only a two horse race for head coach, both coaching locally, so there's no reason a decision cannot be made prior to the RC. The support staff should be carefully put together over the rest of this year and first half of next year.