Why Deans feared he'd get the axe
July 31, 2010
The SMH
Robbie Deans
Man with a plan ... Wallabies coach Robbie Deans. Photo: AFP
Robbie Deans says the Wallabies can turn the corner against New Zealand tonight, writes Greg Growden.
Q
How grating is it for you that Australia have lost the past seven Tests against the All Blacks?
A
You don't like losing any games. But it is the reality. As a coach, I tend to, out of necessity, chase the things that hopefully will address that in time, because that is all you can do. We also ask the players not to watch the scoreboard, but just do the things they need to do. If they focus their energy on that, it maximises their chances of changing that around. Obviously as a coach there is a lot of scrutiny, discussion, and that interests people. That's fine … it's part of the territory. But it doesn't change what is important in terms of dealing with it.
Q
Is it playing on the players' minds?
A
No, I don't think so. And I think you got an insight into that in a press conference here during the week when several of the players explained how they are working hard in order to get the returns they seek. So they are concentrating on the solutions.
Q
Does it make it any more frustrating that against the All Blacks, there has been quite a few occasions where you have done the hard work and taken a half-time lead, only to fall away in the second half?
A
That's happened for many and varied reasons. We haven't had a lot of continuity in terms of availability, which probably contributes to that. But we are bringing more consistency, most evidently in defence, where it has got to start. And I think we got an insight last week against the Springboks … [that] we are starting to make some headway in some of the critical areas. We are getting there. But getting the confirmation would be nice. And we know that confirmation is not going to be given up lightly. We know that the All Blacks are never going to give us a win we never deserve. But that's good.
Q
Does it irritate you that whenever the Bledisloe Cup comes around, the match is written about as a tussle between you and Graham Henry?
A
It doesn't irk me. It's part of the territory, and a piece of interest for people. Different people take different things out of it. That's fine as long as they are interested.
Q
Do you get on with Graham? What is your relationship with him?
A
I don't really have a relationship with him. I respect him as a coach. You've got to respect a man of his longevity. But we don't have a lot of history together. We've competed against each other, from 1997, and so we've opposed each other on numerous occasions. I don't know. I would actually be fascinated to hear what he thinks his relationship with me is like.
Q
For someone who has been attuned to success, is this the hardest period you have gone through?
A
It is tough, but I'm still coaching. The key for me is to stay focused on things which are important. And things which are important don't revolve around me, it revolves around the Wallabies player group. Sure, it gets challenging at times. You do feel it. You're aware of it, because your family and friends are aware of it. It's probably tougher for them, because at least I have the privilege of being able to do something about it. It is also important to monitor what you do day by day. I know externally we are monitored Test match to Test match, and that's fine. But what you see on the weekend is quite simply a reflection of what's happened through the week, and we are getting there, believe it or not. If you want to talk about statistics, the critical statistic is probably … we've moved from fifth to third on the IRB rankings.
Q
How encouraging for you was it that ARU chief John O'Neill came out recently and said that no matter what you will be the Wallabies coach until at least the end of next year's World Cup?
A
To be honest, I don't dwell on it. I understand my responsibility. I also understand that there are people in places who are appointed to make decisions. They are entitled to not only their opinions, but their decisions.
Q
But have there been times where you have been concerned you were about to get a tap on the shoulder?
A
Of course. It is not as if I am blind to that reality.
Q
You handle your emotions pretty well, but there was a moment during the Springboks Test last Saturday night when you started bashing the coach's box window. What was going on there?
A
There were two instances. It is not as if I am not without emotion. They are there, and I've always been worse when we are ahead. Nonetheless, what happened that night was two instances - one was out of frustration over a decision, and the other was at the end of the game I was high-fiving a member of the public who was on the other side of the glass, so it was actually a celebration.
Q
You've come from an environment where there is an abundance of good players, to one where there is a considerable shortage. Were you surprised by the lack of depth in Australian rugby?
A
There's nothing I've experienced here I haven't experienced before. It is very much same challenges, different faces. When I started with the Crusaders, we were stone cold last, and then we chipped away, and got to where we got to.
Q
But have you ever been in a situation where you've picked a squad, dropped someone [like Drew Mitchell], and virtually a week later, you've had to pick him in the team, because everyone has fallen over, and there's no one there?
A
Yeah, routinely.
Q
When?
A
I'd have to go through the books. It happens often, and with high-profile blokes. The Andrew Mehrtens situation with the Crusaders was a challenging period, and there was a time there when we had more international players than places available. Some incumbents were rested, which prompted on one occasion one well-known player refusing to get off the team bus. Again, it's part of the territory.
Q
Yes, but they were quality players. Here you are in a situation where sometimes you're looking for anyone to fill a spot. Just remember last year's end-of-season Wallabies tour when you had to bring in virtual unknowns. Then again, I suppose you can say that in such situations you've found diamonds like Will Genia.
A
Exactly. To me, picking Will wasn't a gamble. The moment I saw him I knew he was something. We have the benefit of insight, because we work day to day with these blokes. The general public will say 'gee, where did he come from?' but we see them, we observe them.
Q
Is it the biggest thrill as a coach, when you pick someone out of left field, and they really blossom?
A
Absolutely. I ambled into coaching. I had no idea I was going to do what I'm now doing. I simply was asked to help out one day with a country colts side. I helped out, and found it quite rewarding, and it went from there. The underlying motive of coaching is the sense of being part of a team that is working towards a purpose. Overcoming the challenges is what it is all about. It's really not about the easy times. I didn't want to go into coaching in the professional era because I was a bit apprehensive the impact professionalism would have on the playing group. Hence I took on managing to get an insight in terms of how the psyche had changed within the playing group. It involved going into unchartered territory, and I wasn't sure whether it was the right thing for me. In a weak moment I relented.
Q
What is the worst part about coaching?
A
You don't like seeing players suffering. Injuries are a bane of the game. To be honest, there are not too many downsides, and to be challenged is good. I am a great believer in no grey moments in life, and you learn from the passing of time that even the bad moments are good, as you recognise the value they offer you in moving on, and getting to where you need to be.
Q
On the eve of this year's Bledisloe Cup, what do you think are the core strengths of this Wallabies team and also the weaknesses?
A
The All Blacks would suggest that there are [weaknesses]. They will target individuals within our group for the hope of profiting because they lack background. But that all comes down to how we manage what we do. The strengths will hopefully be our collective sense of purpose. You saw seeds of that last week. There is a youthful enthusiasm in this group. And we're going to need that, because we don't have the wherewithal of experience. And it's not as if we have the wherewithal in terms of prowess, physical prowess, to be able to be one dimensional. So we're going to have to be smart, think smart, be fully united and committed to the first and the last minute. If you want to be first in the world, that's what you've got to do.
