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Robbie Deans a beacon of light as new Wallabies era beginsBrought to you by
Font Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Bret Harris | June 04, 2008
FOR what was meant to be the start of a bright new era for the Wallabies, the day could not have been gloomier.
Under a grey sky, the Wallabies arrived at Manly Oval, on Sydney's northern peninsula, for their first training session under new coach Robbie Deans.
A green Wallabies cap protected Deans' head from the rain, but nothing could hide the big smile he was wearing.
After the fanfare about his appointment as the first foreigner to coach the Wallabies, the moment where he actually coached the team had arrived. And he looked as happay as the proverbial pig in mud.
The most successful coach in Super history, guiding the Crusaders to five of their seven titles, Deans had been waiting a long time for this opportunity to coach an international side in his own right, having been John Mitchell's assistant at the All Blacks.
Two things were made clear about Deans and the Wallabies from this very first, hour-long session. Unlike his predecessor John Connolly, who adopted a managerial role, Deans is a hands-on coach.
Before the session started, he ran around the field like a kid in a playground, placing plastic cones on..
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