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INCOMING Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says last year's World Cup would not have attracted new fans, but he hopes that this year, starting with the Super 14 season, the game will return to its crowd-pleasing ways.
Deans' comments yesterday came after Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill this week said the game in this country was at the crossroads as it bled money and shed fans with its boring style of play.
Deans, who this Super 14 season will control New Zealand team the Crusaders for the final time before taking on his Australian role, said the World Cup, which ended with South Africa's win over England in a tryless final, was not one to inspire new fans.
"I think clearly when you look at the World Cup, while it was competitive, unless you had a particular interest in an encounter it probably wasn't going to capture your imagination," Deans said.
"There was a lot of kicking, the teams preferred not to have the ball than have it and, if you look at the recent times, there's probably been a bit of frustration around the game."
But, he said the introduction this Super 14 season of new experimental law variations, which were previewed in last year's Australian Rugby Championship, would help to open up the game and encourage attacking rugby.
The Crusaders will arrive in Melbourne tonight for a pre-season trial against Western Force at Olympic Park tomorrow night. The Crusaders will use 26 players, including a host of NZ representatives, while the Force will also bring a strong squad.
Meanwhile, Wallaby back Matt Giteau has given his strongest indication that he could extend his stay in Perth beyond 2009, saying his appointment as Force vice-captain reflected strengthening ties with the club. "There was a lot of talk last year that I was going to leave and I was not happy here. I have no idea where they were coming from," Giteau said.