Antipo-Deans praises the Tahs, sort of, kinda

Super Coach? Awesome.


Loyal opposition: Deans lauds Tahs but finals come first

Rupert Guinness | April 29, 2008

ROBBIE DEANS, the super coach of Super rugby who will take over the Wallabies in June, has praised the Waratahs for turning themselves from cellar-dwellers last season into title contenders this year.

"They have put themselves in the position to be able to control their own destiny," Deans said yesterday. "They should be pretty excited about that. That's great, from their perspective."

Deans actually predicted the turnaround in the Waratahs' fortunes before the start of the season.[EDIT: Is there no limit to his powers? ] At a breakfast on February 4 to launch the Rotomahana Challenge trial between NSW and Crusaders, he told an audience of 400: "I just sense from the chemistry around the room, that you are building some momentum and are pretty keen to do something significant this year. Let's hope that this is the first of three encounters."

Deans has been where the Tahs are today - on the cusp of avenging a nightmare season with a triumphant one. In 2001, his Crusaders finished 10th in the Super 12, with four wins and seven losses. The following year, they made up for their worst season since 1996 by winning the title. Furthermore, they finished the season undefeated and with a 31-13 victory over the Brumbies in Christchurch.

Deans, who took over the Crusaders coaching job in 2000 and has guided them to four of their six Super titles, sees the parallels between his side's turnaround in 2002 and the one the Waratahs are experiencing now.

He won't venture an opinion as to what has led to the Waratahs' improvement. But he is willing to offer his view on what is required for such resurrections to succeed.

"There are so many things involved. For any team to thrive, and it doesn't pertain to any one [thing] in particular, you just have to maximise your own circumstance," Deans said.

"To that end, you have to deal with your current realities and current challenges. And [the Waratahs] are obviously one side that are doing that. It is tedious. It is tough. It is week to week. You just have to keep going.

"You draw from where you have to. And with the passing of time, sometimes tough experiences and what may be perceived as bad experiences, can actually serve you if you use them."

Wary of breaching his New Zealand Rugby Union agreement not to let Wallabies affairs interfere with his Crusaders commitments, Deans presented a straight bat to invitations to comment on NSW's "baby backs".

Asked if he saw emerging talents like Luke Burgess, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale and Lachie Turner as rookies or fully-fledged Super 14 campaigners, he said simply: "I see them as opponents right now."

Pressed as to whether he rated them as formidable opponents, Deans laughed before replying: "Without a doubt."

Deans conceded that his caution was also due to the possibility that the Crusaders and Waratahs may yet meet again in the finals.

"That is right," he said. "It is going to go right down to the wire. That is one thing that is really evident. When you look at the history of this competition year to year, it has become more congested with every year."

The Crusaders are on top of the ladder with 43 points after 11 rounds, with the Waratahs second on 36. But despite their nine wins and one loss for 10 games played and the bye, even Deans hints that all is not straightforward.

Star playmaker Dan Carter is out with an ankle injury until the finals at best, while the Crusaders face a tough last three rounds against the Sharks, Reds and Highlanders.

Cracks in the Crusaders' armour have also been evident despite their daunting record.

Asked if he felt more pressure than in the past as tournament leaders, Deans said: "It is just more of the same. We are not in first place. We are one of 14 teams still playing. Those outcomes will be resolved in time."


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