Time for Dingo to disappear into the night
Posted by The Man in the stand - Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:48
I ran into David Campese a little while back at a World Cup bash.
I've met the outspoken, cocky Aussie legend on a few occasions.
This time was no different.
I must stress that the chat I had with him this time around took place before his beloved Wallabies had the life squashed out of them at Eden Park by our mighty men in black.
Not surprisingly, the conversation turned to one of Campese's favourite subjects, namely Robbie Deans and his role as an imposter.
"Look at this way," Campese began.
"Imagine you're silly enough to hire an Aussie as an All Blacks coach.
"After nearly four years in the job, he's posted not much over a 50 per cent winning record.
"Amongst that pitiful record, your All Blacks' Aussie coach has overseen some gutless losses to the likes of Scotland, England and Samoa.
"But of most pain to you and the hordes of other All Blacks fans, your Aussie coach has presided over just three wins and eleven losses to your mortal enemy, the Wallabies.
I began to wince.
The mere thought of Campese's words ever becoming reality made me feel sick to the core.
He continued.
"So I'm picking that you can now see why Deans has simply reinforced why plenty of ex-Wallabies like myself knew was a dumb decision all along.
"Deans was on a hiding to nothing. He was always going to have to outperform most Wallaby coaches who came before him to justify his appointment.
"And that included winning a World Cup and not just playing from the outset as certain also-rans."
Campese's eyes narrowed considerably as he finished his rant.
"Mark my words, [John] O'Neill cementing Deans' contract in for another two years before the World Cup began was an insult to every fair dinkum fan like myself.
"At the very least, O'Neill should have waited to see how our Cup fortunes unfolded."
He concluded, "Deans won't see it out. Ewen McKenzie will be there sooner rather than later I can assure you of that."
The sheer passion and logic that the man spoke with rendered me simply nodding in agreement.
It was a revealing, daunting indictment on the coach from Christchurch who I've had tremendous respect for but in his current circumstances, must be feeling the cold winds of a crumbling fan-base blowing.
My take on the matter is this.
As a fan of Deans' coaching abilities after his magnificent record at Super rugby level for the Crusaders, I really thought it only a matter of time before his prowess shone through in terms of the Wallabies' results.
But without doubt, Campese's words served to confirm the only verdict that now must be handed down on Deans' international coaching career to date.
That being mediocre at least.
Because on top of Campese's damning assessment of recent times, it must be added how ineffective a contribution Deans made to our 2003 World Cup campaign as the backs coach.
This included the absurd decision to put an out and out fullback, Leon MacDonald at centre in that loss to the Wallabies in that agonizing semi-final.
I must also point out that Deans doesn't appear to have enhanced the Wallabies' quota of brainpower a great deal given the dumb and dumber approach they took in the weekend by repeatedly kicking the ball back to the All Blacks when they had to score two converted tries to at least draw even.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Do you agree with Campese that Deans' days are numbered as the Wallabies' main man?
I must now say, I do.
