Deans contract extended

[chief]

ROBBIE DEANS is expected to be reappointed Wallabies coach before the World Cup in September for at least two more seasons.

The chances of Deans being in charge of the Wallabies for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in two year's time and even the 2015 World Cup have been dramatically boosted by John O'Neill accepting a contract extension that will keep him in charge of the Australian Rugby Union until the end of 2013.

O'Neill took the bold step of appointing Deans as the first foreign Wallabies coach after the team's flawed 2007 World Cup campaign. Although Deans has experienced an exasperating three years, including a 10-Test losing streak to the All Blacks, the ARU chief executive has not lost faith in his national coach. Deans, whose four-year contract expires at the end of this year, also has influential ARU board members backing him.
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It seems victories over South Africa in Bloemfontein, All Blacks in Hong Kong and France in Paris last year have taken the pressure off Deans, who has a success rate of 55.8 per cent from 24 wins and a draw in 43 Tests.

Wallabies players have made it known they want Deans to stay on after the World Cup, with one star telling the ARU he would go overseas if Deans left after the tournament.

It is anticipated Deans will be offered a two-year contract extension, with a two-year option, before the World Cup.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...-set-to-stay-for-2015-cup-20110221-1b2jm.html


I think they could have at least waited until after the RWC to see if Deans really deserved the role.

 

[Groucho]

Good news.

 

[daz]

A few points, which I must stress are purely speculative in nature:

1) I assume there was some discreet questions asked by the ARU to the senior Wallabies re: Deans. It would appear that the talk of dissention in the ranks last year was nonsense, given the Deans extension plus the re-signing of several key Wallabies only 1-2 weeks ago.

2) Giteau moving to France while most of his team mates stay behind adds to the speculation that it was Giteau and Giteau alone who had the problem with Deans.

3) I can understand that some people will be upset that Deans has gained an extension before we know what he has really done for the Wallabies in a world cup. However, he is off contract after rwc11 so if the ARU did not sign him now, there was a real chance someone else would have. Personally, I've seen enough to think he has us on the right path with the dividends to be seen for some years to come.

4) Link is going to choke on his cornflakes this morning....

 

[qwerty51]

Contract negotiation should be off until the WC is over.

 

[Groucho]

Contract negotiation should be off until the WC is over.

Daz is right. You have to choose between the ultimate measurement and staff retention. The point of performance indicators is that you don't have to wait until the end, and miss out on your first choice.

 

[BRIX]

A lot of initiatives the ARU set out prior and post Deans' appointment have already been realized. Namely, the development of younger players, building a competitive side to vie for the World Cup, and a new franchise to enter the Super tournament.

I think we're well on our way and agree with the sentiment it's better now than later.

What I would truly like to see manifest itself is a competitive 7's side!

 

[Lee Grant]

JON mentioned recently that a decision on Deans would have to be made early.

We can deplore the modesty of the winning percentage of the Wallabies during his tenure but, internationally, there is a bit of a buzz about the current Wallaby team. There was no such buzz about the team under Connolly 4 years ago and the ARU was able to leave the decision on renewing his contract in abeyance.

Not so for Deans: the ARU had to make an earlier decision to forestall other offers he would receive.

 

[Bruce Ross]

We would have to be the most kind-hearted and easiest satisfied nation in world rugby.

Before the Spring tour our million dollar Kiwi had clocked up ten straight losses against his own country, our worst ever losing streak. But then came the triumphal procession through Europe. On the way there we thrashed the All Blacks by an emphatic two points. Then, after a nine point win over Wales, we were just pipped at the post by England by a mere 17 points.

After a hugely significant 18 point win over Italy, we bravely held the French to 13-all at half time in Paris. In characteristically Gallic fashion the French refused to come out of the dressing sheds to play the second half, enabling us to pile on 43 points to 3.

The euphoria over the French capitulation continues to this day. We have demonstrated how wonderfully talented we can be against players who choose not to tackle but stand puffing enigmatically on their Gauloises as our boys streak by.

"Wallabies players have made it known they want Deans to stay on after the World Cup." Why wouldn't they when he kept picking them despite ten straight losses to the All Blacks? What chance is there of getting another boss as easy going as that?

"It is anticipated Deans will be offered a two-year contract extension, with a two-year option." Let's not pussy foot around. Why not show our appreciation and admiration by giving him a lifetime contract?

 

[Bradley]

Umm....Bruce, are we not ranked No 2 in the world at present? I think that is pretty good as the No 1 team traditonally peaks between world cups!

 

[Bruce Ross]

Umm....Bruce, are we not ranked No 2 in the world at present? I think that is pretty good as the No 1 team traditonally peaks between world cups!

Are we? Bloody hell! That only increases the admiration for Deans expressed in my post above.

 

[Gagger]

Bruce, I'd hate for you to read my tea leaves

 

[Scotty]

JON mentioned recently that a decision on Deans would have to be made early.

We can deplore the modesty of the winning percentage of the Wallabies during his tenure but, internationally, there is a bit of a buzz about the current Wallaby team. There was no such buzz about the team under Connolly 4 years ago and the ARU was able to leave the decision on renewing his contract in abeyance.

Not so for Deans: the ARU had to make an earlier decision to forestall other offers he would receive.

Very unfair to compare Connolly to Deans. Connolly was thrown in the deep end, with what 18 months to prepare for the RWC, and therefore had to make do with the already established players. Very different situation to Deans.

 

[Scotty]

Umm....Bruce, are we not ranked No 2 in the world at present? I think that is pretty good as the No 1 team traditonally peaks between world cups!

Not many of us think we deserve that ranking! And unless we can improve significantly over this year, not many think we are a real chance of winning the world cup (certainly not on the form that Bruce ran through above).

 

[Cutter]

We would have to be the most kind-hearted and easiest satisfied nation in world rugby.

Before the Spring tour our million dollar Kiwi had clocked up ten straight losses against his own country, our worst ever losing streak. But then came the triumphal procession through Europe. On the way there we thrashed the All Blacks by an emphatic two points. Then, after a nine point win over Wales, we were just pipped at the post by England by a mere 17 points.

After a hugely significant 18 point win over Italy, we bravely held the French to 13-all at half time in Paris. In characteristically Gallic fashion the French refused to come out of the dressing sheds to play the second half, enabling us to pile on 43 points to 3.

The euphoria over the French capitulation continues to this day. We have demonstrated how wonderfully talented we can be against players who choose not to tackle but stand puffing enigmatically on their Gauloises as our boys streak by.

"Wallabies players have made it known they want Deans to stay on after the World Cup." Why wouldn't they when he kept picking them despite ten straight losses to the All Blacks? What chance is there of getting another boss as easy going as that?

"It is anticipated Deans will be offered a two-year contract extension, with a two-year option." Let's not pussy foot around. Why not show our appreciation and admiration by giving him a lifetime contract?

You can't judge Deans by results alone. We're playing the Boks and Blacks more regularly meaning our winning percentages have taken a hammering. I'd be interested to see Deans percentages split between Tri-nations and non Tri-nations opponents. He might compare more favourably to his predecessors on that basis. Given our limited playing pool, Deans has introduced and, importantly, nurtured some significant talents. Its impossible to speculate the extent to which these talents would have emerged without Deans' presence. Nevertheless, the Wallabies, led by some of these younger players, played some very exciting, and even winning, rugby this year, particularly towards the latter end of the season.

I'm pleased by Deans' re-signing and expect him to continue to build the Wallabies. I also have hopes that four or five of the current players will turn into World XV selections (arguably there are none at the moment) which is the benchmark for great teams. In my opinion, if our current progression continues, we have a real chance of regaining the Bledisloe, winning the Tri-Nations, winning the RWC and beating the Lions. They must be Deans' goals over the next three years.

Finally, and not insignificantly, under Deans the Wallabies are playing an attractive brand of rugby. That is equally important to playing winning rugby in the competitive Australian sporting market.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

World cup shmorld cup - why do we hang all measurement of success on this one tournament?

Deans has been good for development in Australian rugby - evidenced by the quality of young players now coming through. His style at first I didnt agree with (cutting quality established players - removing any dissenters from the team etc) and I thought his coaching style of Play Whats In front of you was not best for the team (as they lacked the skill to do it).

However, I am going from a deans dissenter, to a reluctant admirer. I dont know if we can win the RWC. I do know any one of 4 or 5 teams have a great chance to win it, and it will be very tight. I just think we should be looking at the bigger picture in Australian Rugby. Deans staying on for another 2 years will provide continuity of mentorship and coaching, which can only be good for the young wallabies, especially as we manage further generational change

 

[Bruce Ross]

The follow-up comments highlight my point about us being "the most kind-hearted and easiest satisfied nation in world rugby." I was particularly taken by Cutter's observation that "the Wallabies, led by some of these younger players, played some very exciting, and even winning, rugby." Says it all really.

 

[Richo]

The idea that he has to be signed up now because he will magically go elsewhere after the RWC is a bit silly, IMHO. The ARU would almost certainly have an opportunity to re-hire him if anyone else tried to and if he didn't give them the chance (i.e. just signed elsewhere and never gave the ARU an opportunity to make an offer) then it would speak volumes of his character and loyalty. If a post-RWC ARU offer was not good enough to retain his services, then grand. A halfway step could also have been taken: providing Deans with a clear KPI for cup performance that would ensure his re-signing. For example, I think we'd all agree that making the final, win or lose, would be a fantastic achievement for this team given where it was three years ago.

I'm also not so sold on the player endorsements. I'd be guessing it's 50% that he's a decent leader and has a positive playing style and 50% that he doesn't hold them very accountable. It's been pretty hard to get dumped from the squad lately.

Still, I'm increasingly positive about Dingo versus six months ago. Maybe I'm deluded by the glories that Bruce outlines, but I think the Wobs are moving in the right direction. How far or how successfully remains to be seen. I just hope the ARU and a host of others won't have egg on their faces after the Cup.

I'm much more bothered by JON's resigning. Good Lord.

 

[Gagger]

Not many of us think we deserve that ranking!.

Who is 'us' and how do you know?

Was there a poll somehwere I missed?

Did the ranking system suddenly change?

 

[TOCC]

Who is 'us' and how do you know?

Was there a poll somehwere I missed?

Did the ranking system suddenly change?

Bewildering isnt it...

There were only 2 teams in the world last year who can lay claim to defeating all the other top 5 nations... New Zealand and you guessed it, Australia!

 

[Ruggo]

Not many of us think we deserve that ranking! And unless we can improve significantly over this year, not many think we are a real chance of winning the world cup (certainly not on the form that Bruce ran through above).

Well this time 4 years ago Australian Rugby was a mess and Connolly was not faultless. Anyone remember the war of words between Connolly and Jones over the Latham injury? It was a joke.

Funny how the players are re-signing in mass turning down the option of big money. Funny how players are being encouraged to play rugby instead of being wrapped up in cotton wool. There must be opportunity around in Australian Rugby. The culture shift in Australian Rugby has been huge and Deans can take a lot of credit for that.