Robbie all set to boot it

[Flamethrower]

Robbie all set to boot it
By DANIEL GILHOOLY - NZPA | Friday, 30 May 2008



For an insight to emotional farewells from Canterbury rugby to Robbie Deans, go no further than Todd Blackadder.

The former All Blacks captain was lauded as a rugby lord when he left the province in 2001.

Home town Rangiora was renamed "Blackadderville" for a day and an unseemly number of six-year-old boys answering to Toddy are sure to be dotted around Christchurch and surrounding farmland.

Yet Blackadder feels sheepish when his achievements are stacked up against those of super coach Robbie Deans, who signs off after nine years of glory with the Crusaders on Saturday night in familiar style - another Super rugby final.

"He's a bloody master at it," is Blackadder's instant assessment of Deans the coach, whose allegiance will switch to the Australian national team at about 9.15pm on Saturday.

"Players don't always like what a coach has got to say and I'm not saying every player loved Robbie over the years, you only have to read Anton Oliver's book.

"But every player I know respects the guy. There wouldn't be many Crusaders who haven't eaten dinner at Robbie Deans' table, put it that way."

Full story: Robbie all set to boot it - Rugby news & coverage - Stuff.co.nz

[laura]

Our loss, Australia's gain: McCaw
May 31, 2008


NEW Zealand captain Richie McCaw admitted their loss was Australia's gain after Robbie Deans masterminded the Crusaders' seventh Super 14 title in 11 years.

Deans will begin his four-year posting as Wallabies coach on Monday and McCaw said Australia could not have a better man in charge.

“He's obviously done a good job here. Hopefully he comes across and brings the same success over to Australia,'' McCaw said.

“You can see with the Crusaders, no matter what the personnel, every year (we) have always moulded, believing in the same thing.

“The team comes first. The Crusaders are there to succeed, not individuals. Then individuals come second and they do succeed because of that.

Our loss, Australia's gain: McCaw - Super 14 - Fox Sports