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There are no Wallabies yet, says new man Deans
6th February 2008, 8:45 WST
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ontentID=57387
Robbie Deans, the first foreigner to be appointed Australian rugby union coach, has revealed his blueprint for transforming the Wallabies from World Cup flops to international standard bearers.
And it involves starting from scratch and throwing egos out the window.
With the new season almost here, Deans yesterday refused to guarantee even the biggest names in Australian rugby a walk-up start in 2008, promising only that fans should expect his Wallabies lineups to be loaded with tough, tenacious and selfless characters.
“When you look for players, you look for traits,” the Kiwi said. “They’ve got to have the talent, first and foremost. But, at this level, they’re all talented.
“So, if we presume they’ve got talent, the critical component is probably toughness — the ability to persevere.
“It’s generally how they cope with the setbacks. My players need character, an ability to offer to the group, even when their selfish needs aren’t being met.”
Asked which Wallabies typified the spirit of player he was looking for, Deans nominated Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock, Phil Waugh and George Smith among an “endless” list he had admired over the years.
“But I’m not worried about the past. Who’s next is what I’m excited about,” he said.
“Who’s next, who wants in and who’s prepared to do what it takes to not just be there but to make a good fist of it.”
Deans said the perceived lack of depth in the Australian ranks didn’t concern him, and he was relishing the prospect of taking charge of an international sporting team renowned for its toughness.
“You can never write an Australian team off. You do it at your peril and I hope that trait remains and we add a bit to it,” he said.
As if to keep his potential new charges on top of their games, Deans, who will officially take up his Australian post after completing his final Super 14 season as coach of the Crusaders, said there were “no Wallabies” right now.
“But hopefully there’s an excited group of players that see themselves as being Wallabies come June 3,” he said.
Deans said it was already his habit to review all seven Super 14 games each weekend, and that would enable him to monitor the progress of Wallabies hopefuls. Australia’s opening Test of 2008 will be against Ireland in Melbourne on June 14.
SYDNEY