Close Menu
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Blues
    • Chiefs
    • Crusaders
    • Fijian Drua
    • Highlanders
    • Hurricanes
    • Moana Pasifika
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Six Nations
  • Women’s
  • Sevens
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

The Dropped Kick-Off 161 – On Tour – ACT Brumbies vs. British & Irish Lions Instant Reaction

July 10, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust

July 10, 2025

Game pre & review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday, 9 July 2025

July 9, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Latest News
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 161 – On Tour – ACT Brumbies vs. British & Irish Lions Instant Reaction
  • Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust
  • Game pre & review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday, 9 July 2025
  • Hump Day news – in from the side
  • Noah Lolesio out of Lions series.
  • Tuesday’s Rugby news
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 160 – On Tour – Wallabies & NSW Waratahs instant reaction at Bernie’s Bar with Finn Morton
  • ACT Brumbies v the British and Irish Lions โ€” G&GR’s Team’s podcast
  • Props and pancakes – whodunnit?
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #77: Test rugby is back baby!
  • Game Review: Wallabies v Fiji – International – Sunday 6 July 2025
  • Game Review: British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs – Lions Tour – Saturday, 5 July 2025
  • NSW Waratahs v the British and Irish Lions โ€” G&GR’s teams podcast
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 159 – On Tour – Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions Instant Reaction w/ Lachie Grey from Scrumbags Rugby Podcast
  • Yowie on a Thursday: other rugby news roundup
  • Game Review: British & Irish Lions v Queensland Reds – Lions Tour – Wednesday 2 July 2025
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Force v the British and Irish Lions โ€” G&GR’s teams podcast
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies

    Tuesday’s Rugby News

    February 25, 2025

    G&GR readers hate Australians?

    February 23, 2025

    Schmidt extends Wallabies tenure through TRC as search for head coach successor begins

    February 6, 2025

    Tickets on sale for blockbuster Wallaroos and Wallabies home Tests

    February 5, 2025

    Tuesday’s Rugby News, 4 February 2025

    February 4, 2025
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Blues
    3. Chiefs
    4. Crusaders
    5. Fijian Drua
    6. Highlanders
    7. Hurricanes
    8. Moana Pasifika
    9. NSW Waratahs
    10. Queensland Reds
    11. Western Force
    12. View All

    Brumbies lob first grenade.

    March 19, 2025

    Hoodoo Gurus: Brumbies beat Blues.

    March 8, 2025

    Super Rugby Women’s Team List: Trial Match v Queensland Reds

    February 5, 2025

    Brumbies and Raiders combine for ANZAC weekend fixtures

    February 4, 2025

    Sotutu Returns to Boost Blues for Highlanders Clash

    February 19, 2025

    MG Motor Joins Blues as Official Vehicle Partner

    February 13, 2025

    Tuโ€™ungafasi Celebrates 150th Cap as Blues Unleash Star-Studded Line-Up at Eden Park Opener

    February 12, 2025

    Blues Team Up with Gerard Roofs for a Strong 2025 Season Partnership

    February 11, 2025

    Chiefs Prepare for Crusaders Clash: Brown’s Debut and Tupaea’s Milestone

    February 19, 2025

    Chiefs’ All Blacks Set for Pre-Season Action Against Moana Pasifika

    February 6, 2025

    Chiefs Unveil New Talent Ahead of Taranaki Pre-Season Clash

    January 30, 2025

    Chiefs’ Rising Star Wallace Sititi Sidelined After Knee Surgery

    January 25, 2025

    Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Pre-Season with Blues Battle in Kirwee

    January 30, 2025

    Crusaders Partner with Moa Brewing Company to Elevate Fan Experience

    January 23, 2025

    Jamie Hannah Commits to Crusaders Until 2028

    January 23, 2025

    Crusaders 2025 Tickets Now Available!

    January 23, 2025

    Fijian Drua to Host Rugby FCLA in Historic Fiji Showdown

    January 20, 2025

    Highlanders Set for Home Opener Against Blues

    February 19, 2025

    Waratahs edge Highlanders in thrilling season opener

    February 16, 2025

    Highlanders Announce Squad for Season Opener Against Waratahs

    February 12, 2025

    Highlanders Gear Up for Waitangi Day Showdown Against Crusaders

    February 4, 2025

    Xavier Numia Commits to Hurricanes Through 2027

    January 29, 2025

    Hurricanes Brew Up Partnership with Flight Coffee for 2025 Season

    January 28, 2025

    Hurricanes Poua Swap Rugby Boots for Riding Boots at Hutt Valley RDA

    January 16, 2025

    Match Review: Qld Reds v Moana Pacifika โ€” Rd2 2025

    February 21, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 3, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 2, 2025

    Moana Pasifika Set to Face Highlanders in Pre-Season Opener

    January 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Tahs best Brumbies.

    March 22, 2025

    Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

    March 21, 2025

    U18s & U20s Tahs sides named.

    March 14, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    Reds break drought.

    March 22, 2025

    Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

    March 22, 2025

    Caslick to start in Reds #100th.

    March 19, 2025

    Force out-Brumby the Brumbies 45-42.

    February 22, 2025

    Jeremy Williams Re-Signs with Western Force for Two More Years

    February 6, 2025

    Club captain Jeremy Williams re-commits to Western Force with new deal

    February 6, 2025

    Western Force Unveils Star-Studded Squad for Brumbies Pre-Season Clash

    February 5, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

    March 24, 2025

    Live: SRP ladder

    March 22, 2025
  • Six Nations

    Six Nations round 4

    March 8, 2025

    Tree Irish legends call time

    February 28, 2025

    Frogs flog Italy.

    February 24, 2025

    Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

    February 23, 2025

    Poms pinch it.

    February 23, 2025
  • Women’s

    More in store for Qld women’s comp.

    March 21, 2025

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happyโ€™s Thursday’s Rugby News โ€“ progress mixed in with some injustice

    November 21, 2024

    Yowie on the Loose: How long until test rugby restarts?

    October 15, 2024

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

    October 14, 2024
  • Sevens

    G&GR team’s podcast, Ireland and done

    December 2, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happyโ€™s Thursday’s Rugby News โ€“ US edition marketing the game, Perry Baker, Super Rugby my new dawn.

    October 17, 2024

    Sevens Olympic Heaven!

    July 18, 2024

    Thursday’s Rugby News

    July 4, 2024
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 161 – On Tour – ACT Brumbies vs. British & Irish Lions Instant Reaction

    July 10, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 160 – On Tour – Wallabies & NSW Waratahs instant reaction at Bernie’s Bar with Finn Morton

    July 7, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 159 – On Tour – Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions Instant Reaction w/ Lachie Grey from Scrumbags Rugby Podcast

    July 3, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 158 on tour – Western Force v British & Irish Lions instant reaction

    June 29, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 157 – Super Honest

    June 20, 2025
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Rugby»Deans Revolutionises Australian Sport
Rugby

Deans Revolutionises Australian Sport

Reg RobertsBy Reg RobertsSeptember 9, 20094 Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

The Wallabies’s comprehensive 21-6 win over the World Champion Springboks on the weekend is all the vindication needed to support coach Robbie Dean’s tactic of “play ย what’s in front of you”.ย  The Wallabies were superb in all aspects of play and many pundits about town have put the performance down to the team’s ability to play more instinctively.

Whilst the Australians were able to make numerous line breaks, and were over the line at least five times, it was the defence of the team that really sealed the win. Theย ย Wallabies were able put immense pressure on the Boks through repeated big hit as the South Africans were met with a gold wall of granite.ย  Tatafu Polata-Nau, David Pocock, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Mark Chisholm, George Smith and Rocky Elsom were able to throw themselves at their opposition on instinct rather than abiding by previously used team structures.

The nature of the Wallaby win has caught the attention of many of Australian sports’ most prominent identities and the ethos of ‘play what’s in front of you’ is sure to be adopted in a variety of sports in the coming months.

In the NRL, the resurgent Bulldogs have turned their wooden spoon performance of last year around through the coach’s adoption of Deans’ “play what’s in front of you” concept.ย  Utility forward Greg Eastwood has praised the approach of Bulldog’s coach Kevin Moore.

“He’s just a real relaxed coach. He wants the players to play their game and play what’s in front of you instead of more structured,” Eastwood said.

Similarly rookie Brisbane Lions AFL Coach, Michael Voss, had his players practise the approach in the lead-up to his debut season.

“It was great.ย  Under other coaches we’ve always been told where to run, how to run, where to kick, how to kick”, experienced Lion Daniel Bradshaw declared recently. “All of a sudden Vossy had us looking up and forward and, low and behold, there’s goals there!”

But it’s not just the football codes who have adopted the approach. Australia’sย beleaguered cricket coach, Tim Nielson, controversially returned home early from the team’s tour of England recently.ย  What wasn’t announced was that Nielson had requested a meeting with Deans to discuss the “play what’s in front of you” approach.

“Mate, it was enlightening to say the least”, enthused Nielson. “I can’t wait to get back to the boys and pass on my learnings.ย  I mean, how much better will Mitch (Johnson) ย be if he is actually looking to where he wants to bowlย – to the stumps. And (Mike) Hussey! Imagine if he actually played what was in front of him, namely JimmyAnderson, Freddy Flintoff and the others, rather than just, you know, guessing.ย  And don’t even start me on how it’s going to help Haddo’s (Brad Haddin) keeping”!

Todd Woodbridge, the recently appointed Australian Davis Cup tennis coach, has also jumped on the bandwagon.

“This could be the one thing that changes the sport in this country. I can’t believe how much potential there is to improve the play of, not just our elite players, but our juniors as well” Woodbridge stated.

“I’ve discussed it with Lleyton (Hewitt) already and it’s fair to say that he’s not totally 100% behind the idea, but he can see some benefits. I’ll keep working on him, don’t you worry about that”.

If Hewitt does have concerns perhaps they will be allayed by Internationals captain Greg Norman’s decision to select Japaneseย teenage wonderboy Ryo Ishakawa, as well as the out of form Adam Scott, for the upcoming President’s Cup. “Ryo and Adam are both fine exponents of playing what’s in front of you. Perhaps it’s their generation? I know I could sometimes play an entire tournament and not remember a single hole.ย  I was focussing so much on the ball instead of what was in front of me”.

However not every sport is racing to jump ship, so to speak. Australian Rowing CEO Andrew Dee fails to see the attraction.

“I think it’s a ludicrous concept.ย  Play what’s in front of you? What does it even mean? It has absolutely no relevance to our sport whatsoever.ย  We’re facing backwards for Pete’s sake!”

The Wallabies will next be playing what’s in front of them, the All Blacks, in Wellington on Saturday week.ย  Asked as to how his team will be approaching the match, the last of the Tri-Nations, Deans responded “well I like to encourage the boys to play heads up rugby, and to play what’s in front of them. I don’t see how this match will be any different”.

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Have you got a news article suggestion? Submit a story and have your say
๐Ÿ‘€ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.com
๐ŸŽต Listen to our Podcasts on Spotify and iTunes
๐ŸŽฅ Watch our Podcasts on YouTube


adam ashley-cooper AFL berrick barnes david pocock george smith haka mark chisholm rocky elsom tri-nations
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleTri-Nations Ladder – Week 8
Next Article All Blacks v Springboks: the final countdown
Reg Roberts
  • X (Twitter)

The original prop in a prop's body, but thankfully I have the rugby mind of a prop as well.

Related Posts

Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust

July 10, 2025

Game pre & review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday, 9 July 2025

July 9, 2025

Hump Day news – in from the side

July 9, 2025

Tuesday’s Rugby news

July 8, 2025

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

We are determined to keep G&GR a free site for all rugby fans. A place for all to engage with rugby stories, opinions, articles, podcasts, discussions and more.

Show your support to G&GR


Latest

The Dropped Kick-Off 161 – On Tour – ACT Brumbies vs. British & Irish Lions Instant Reaction

July 10, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust

July 10, 2025

Game pre & review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday, 9 July 2025

July 9, 2025

Hump Day news – in from the side

July 9, 2025
1 2 3 … 2,614 Next
Latest Super Rugby

Reds top of the pops.

March 29, 2025

More Tahs misery.

March 29, 2025

Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

March 24, 2025

Live: SRP ladder

March 22, 2025
1 2 3 … 790 Next
Latest Six Nations

Six Nations round 4

March 8, 2025

Tree Irish legends call time

February 28, 2025

Frogs flog Italy.

February 24, 2025

Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

February 23, 2025
1 2 3 … 25 Next
GAGR Podcast
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Rising rally to overrun Queensland Country

September 4, 2016

Waratahs young leaders to shine

January 18, 2017

Eight ANGRY Observations from tonight’s game

June 18, 2016
New Comments
  • Eloise Pasteur on Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust
  • Rod Finnegan on Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust
  • Rod Finnegan on Game pre & review: British & Irish Lions v ACT Brumbies – Lions Tour – Wednesday, 9 July 2025
  • GeorgiaSatellite on Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust
  • AllyOz on Yowie on the Loose: rugby news you can trust
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2025 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.