Should Robbie Deans get the sack if Australia lose this weekend? The Crooked Feed examines the case against him.
15 James O'Connor, 14 Lachlan Turner/Joe Tomane, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper/Rob Horne, 12 Christian Lealiifano/Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham/Ben McCalman, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 James Horwill, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu
Is that the second best rugby team in the world? If not, we could always throw in Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale and Ben Alexander from the non-crocked list to beef it up a little bit. Even if you still think a fully-fit South African team would be better, the point remains that Robbie Deans has one of the world's finest XVs missing from his squad as he prepares for a game which some believe will decide his future.
You've got to feel for Deans in that regard, because it's difficult to dream up a worse position for a coach to be in. Australia's injury crisis is unprecedented (a situation which can only be attributed to the new length of the Super Rugby season), one of Deans' injured players is doing his best Kevin Pietersen impression back home, and now the Wallabies must take on Argentina in Rosario in what will be Rodrigo Roncero's final international match. Whatever happens, it's going to be emotional.
So what exactly are the charges laid against Deans in the case for his dismissal? From what The Crooked Feed can gather, there are two of them. One is that the results have not been good enough; the other that he is too conservative in his tactics.
Yet if we look at Deans' record this year, the defeat at home to Scotland is the only result that really sticks out. And there were extenuating circumstances there, because the match took place on the Tuesday after a round of Super Rugby fixtures (do you see an obvious Deans enemy developing here?) and several players were rested ahead of the series against Wales, which Australia won 3-0. Subsequent defeats to a brilliant New Zealand side and away to South Africa should be perfectly forgivable.
The second accusation therefore looks more serious, and it has come from several quarters - most notably from Quade Cooper and former Australia coach Alan Jones, who told LiveSPORT ahead of the second Bledisloe Test: "Many of the boys in the Australian team believe the preoccupation is with trying to avoid defeat rather than trying to secure victory. You can't win a game of football without the football. What do we do? We kick it away."
Given that Jones' interview was tinged with xenophobic angst - "Who the hell invited a New Zealander to coach Australia? That's ridiculous," he said at one point - his credibility was perhaps a touch compromised, but his point clearly resonated because it was the basis for Cooper's "toxic" rants last week.
Of course nobody is quite sure what Cooper's agenda is either. In the absence of comment from more level-headed Wallaby players it's been difficult to know exactly how Deans is perceived inside the camp, although two come-from-behind victories - against South Africa and Argentina - did not exactly point to a side who have lost the desire to play.
That feeling has been backed up in the last couple of days as Drew Mitchell, Sekope Kepu and Digby Ioane all dismissed Cooper's comments. Although none of them gave Deans a ringing endorsement, Ioane's comments were probably the most telling since the winger is a close friend of Cooper's.
"I was surprised I guess but that's Quade and his situation," Ioane said. "It's a bit crazy but that's his business. I've got nothing to say about him. It's a really good spirit ... everyone has been tight and everyone is enjoying everyone's company but we just have to deliver on game day."
Going back to Deans' tactics, he can hardly be blamed for conservatism when he's been without many of his most creative players. And it's difficult to gel an injury-hit side together when you lose a further two or three players each week. Often all you can do is plug holes.
That's certainly where Deans is at this weekend, and even some of the Australian writers have conceded that a win in Rosario would be an upset. That being the case, would it really be fair to give Deans the sack? The Crooked Feed would say that it isn't, and then don our tin hat in expectation of a minor bombardment.
But the Australian Rugby Union will have to make a decision one way or another next week, because if they're going to bring in a new coach then they'll need to at least give him the end-of-year tour to bed in ahead of next year's Lions tour. The pundits have predicted a cracker of a Test match in Soweto on Saturday but the more intriguing clash may well be taking place in Rosario.
This is an extract from our free weekly newsletter, The Crooked Feed. To read more and stand in line to win lots of weekly prizes, subscribe by clicking HERE.
Tristan Holme
Comments
RedSheep says...
Where'd you get those ridiculous selections from?
The incumbent wingers are Mitchell, Ioane and O'Connor, you can forget about even a bench spot for turner and tomane. Not to mention Lealiifano, McCalman and Palmer!
Come back to us when you've got your selections sorted (not to mention the retarded reverse order comment system you've got good here) and then we'll take the rest of what you guys write seriously.
Posted 09:27 15th October 2012
riviera274 says...
Lots of expert comments not a lot of understanding of realities!
Who cares if RD is a Kiwi....he is still probably the pick of coaches in S15 and Heineken teams, and
has overcome a significant lack of resources....as has the ARU.
To my reading Australia has won 8 of the 13 Rugby World Cups held in the last 30 years. And yet
the majority of Australian kids dont even play rugby....they play Australian Rules
If the ARU had the resources of all those AFL and NRL players then coaches like Robbie Deans wouldnt worry about the All Blacks and Springboks, they would have plenty of talented reserves
rather than the lack of depth which exists in union
Posted 18:15 07th October 2012
Sprogrugby says...
Methinks a fair bit of myopia on some of these posts, blaming the length of the super 15 season, and Dean's game plan and substitutions. I agree with many who refer to the lack of depth, which could be enhanced with domestic competition a la ITM and Currie Cup. It is a long sighted view and it is this I think the ARU have failed in. I think the ARU have played a $ numbers game rather than a longer term player numbers game, wanting another super 15 franchise for $ sake and not having the players to justify or feed it. This has simply put more pressure on existing internationals / would be's to return from injury early etc, which then means the international side bears the consequences. A generalisation I know but I think it is a major flaw in Australian psyche (Alan Jones' comments are a case in point) that the simplistic analysis of failure seems to lay blame on the easiest target rather than the real target, especially if this is of their own making. Deans is the easy target, yet I think anybody faced with the injuries, player characters etc that he has had to endure could not have done better. The guy has a proven track record, and if naysayers claim it's because of the players he had, then the same argument follows that he can't be blamed for Australia's performance exactly because of the players he doesn't have. The smartest thing the ARU did was appoint Deans, which is pretty remarkable considering they appointed 'knuckles' Connoly. The only way the appointment of 'Link' would benefit the Aussies is it may help the players find a bit more of their mongrel, as they can rely on that true 'Aussie' beligerence, which may sneak the odd win. There is no turning around the current playing stocks or lack of.
Posted 02:14 07th October 2012
Waz4before says...
@ melkdave. - I agree with just about everything you've said and feel you're holding back somewhat ;-) where I disagree is the conference system which is designed to address many of the questions/criticisms you raise - more derbies, more money, more tv overage, more media exposure = opportunity for growth ( and The Reds are one of the best sides in Super Rugby so it's hard to argue with their presence in the finals his year) so the conference system is a step in the right direction alas the monkeys running the ARU are failing to develop the game top to bottom with probably only Queensland going in the gift direction on the back of 2 good years for the Reds.
Posted 23:10 06th October 2012
melkdave says...
To all those posters using the fact union is australias 3rd sport as an excuse for the lack of depth.Ireland also have competing for spectators,ect.Gallic football (the original aussie rules),Hurling and FIFA Football,all big sports in Ireland.Yet union is a growing sport spectatror wise in Ireland and has a good conveyor belt for young talant..The differance is the ARU are just CRAP,and have wasted the oppotunities from the Lions tour of 2001 and the 2003RWC,and the fact australia have been a top 4 nation for 3-4 yrs.All advantages the IRFU havent had.Also ive just read on greenandgold.com a proposal for a domestic competion costing $160,000 australian.You cant say the ARUcouldnt afford that ,no matter how tight income might beBut of course J.O'Neil and the ARU are CRAP and Complacement ,and would rather just paper over the problems,rather than fix them .Just like the conferance system for S15.,which guareentees an australian S15 team a shot at the championship,even if they dont really deserve it .A little luck or injuries to their oppoents in the playoffs ,and they could even win it.Despite finishing 6th-7th in the overall league ,and well out of the playoff places under the old system.
Posted 16:28 06th October 2012
Waz4before says...
It's not the results as much as the style of play; much is being made of the current injuries which is a long list and yes it is exposing Australia's lack of real depth BUT with the talent that Deans has had available, even when fully fit, his style of play has been far, far, far to conservative and non-Australian. To celticspirits point - union is the 4th sport in Oz (but not an nsignificant one mind you) and traditionally has demanded an expansive style of play from its national side to ensure media favour, Deans has not/is not delivering and everything else is just excuses ....
Posted 10:39 06th October 2012
celticspirit says...
Trinats is just a dreamer. There might be some coach somewhere who might have managed to squeeze one more win, maybe against the ABs at home out of the Australians somehow. But no substantial improvement on their situation. Deans is doing a good job and has a top class track record so what are the critics / Aussies whinging about? That they dont win every test against clearly better opposition? Learn to live with it. If Rugby Union is like your 3rd or 4th sport (or even 5th with European football catching up mightily), well, what do you expect...
Posted 21:37 05th October 2012
Oceansnz says...
No tin had needed at all PR.
Thank you for pointing out the horrible situation that Deans is experiencing and results would befall any coach that finds themselves in the same situation.
I'm tired of read thread comments that attack, attack, attack and then some. Sometimes a horrible situation is no one persons fault. Its just a horrible situation [full stop].
Posted 15:47 05th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
tha_mai:
Sharpe !
Posted 11:59 05th October 2012
melkdave says...
After careful thought on the matter,i cant see any thing for R.Deans to answer for either.Yes the injuries this year have played a big part concerning the results.But as others have said its the chromic lack of depth,of quality players .Thats going to kill australian rugby,and that im afaraid is down to the ARU and J.O;Neils mismagement.A loss this weekend is likely,and a hard aurtum test schedual ahead with alot players just back from injury could result in a whiotewash for australia.Anyone who underestimates the potential of France,England,Wales and Italy to win this aurtum ,is crazy That said the rear guard actions of Deans and co so far have been masterful,2 wins at home,against SA and pumas with so many players out injured or out of form is a good return ,Australia where never going to beat the ABs no matter the expectations /hopes of walaby fans.Once again R.Deans has cobbeled together a fairly good looking team from the wreckage of his injuries ect.They have a possibilty of wining this weekend giving them a 50% record this RC if so which imo is a damn good return in the circumstances,
Posted 11:15 05th October 2012
Waz4before says...
Err, excuse me ... The injuries can only be attributed to the length of the Super Rugby season - utter tosh its not that long and seemingly not a problem for the oher nations; Scotland the only result that stands out, err the home defeat to Samoa was expected then was it? he can't be blamed for conservatism because of his injury prone side, err he can - he was conservative and criticised for it (rightly IMO) after they'd won the tri-nations last year. Deans has made his own bed - win or lose his weekend it's time for him to go!
Posted 09:26 05th October 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Lots of foreign names in there.
Problem is that Australia cannot win in NZ and this is well before Robbie came along.
Australia only win half (or less) of their home games vs NZ, this has been a problem for 10 years and well before Robbie came along.
Australia haven't won a trophy for around 10 years, oh except the one since Robbie came along.
If Australia want to start improving they need to start a domestic competition and stop importing foreign players and players from other codes, build slowly from the bottom up and stop whinging, blaming others and making excuses, man up and get on with it.
Posted 08:17 05th October 2012
tha_mai says...
Trinats2 - c'ould be ranked No1 and have their 3rd WC title'
could be? but they are not, and never had a look-in.
well it wasn't so long ago you crowed endlessly in every post you made about winning the Tri-Nations and ever so confident heading into RWC as world-beaters - no criticism of the coach there, as the same team and management went into the RWC. Let's blame Ireland! It's all their fault. Not to mention the reffing that got them past SA in the quarters.
Whatever team Australia has fielded in the last year is simply not good enough. 22-nil sound familiar? The only way a team can get to #1 is by consistently beating them - get most ranking points from winning 1. away from home and 2. by 15 points or more. There you go - that's all you need.
Posted 07:37 05th October 2012
jonesrp says...
So let me get this straight...The Super Rugby Season is too long for Australian players but not for the New Zealanders and South Africans ...? I can think of a solution to that one right now...
Posted 04:49 05th October 2012
jonesrp says...
So let me get this straight...the long super 15 season affects Australians but not New Zealanders ? You were the ones that wanted 5 teams ( and were advised against it...)
Posted 04:47 05th October 2012
tha_mai says...
how does Christian Lealiifano get in there? Has never played a test, looked good for a couple on months Super rugby this season but was crocked first week of May.
Second best team? honestly, how many would make a world XV right now?
Posted 04:24 05th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
"Subsequent defeats to a brilliant New Zealand side and away to South Africa should be perfectly forgivable"
Not if you are an Aussie.
Problem has been around for a number of years now, loss to Samoa ? The fact that he can't use his bench. Poor NH tour last year. palyer managment (Giteau) and throw in there the worst EVER record against NZ (his country!)
If Australia had of had a decent coach they could be ranked No1 and have their 3rd WC title !!!!
Regardless of the result on Sunday morning, Deans has to go.
Posted 00:17 05th October 2012
phillipk says...
I am pretty sure the other 2 nations have the same super 15 season. Also the two nations have a credable championship going on as well, so they play alot more top level rugby than Australia. The problem is depth. Australia struggles to find two cdomplete teams where as SA and NZ could easily find three - check the tables and where the teams stand. Lack of depth effects player resting and rotation, ability to recover from injury fully (either forced or precautionary) and wether the replacement can fully setup. Blaming Deans only shifts the spotlight from the ARU and the descisions they have made - for all their money from Sky TV and Sanzar delas (both backhand and upfront) where has this been invested? 5 Super teams and still no credabile domestic competition. This presents a lack of depth coming thru - only the superstars will go from club to Super 15 or test and while Aus certainly has these, they only have enough for 1 complete squad. Even the NH sides are deveolping depth, the difference is the skill sets is not as dynamic as the SH sides - but each year they are improving and soon they will have the depth needed to take on SA or NZ. Even Argentina has started the development of the next set of players and creating depth required for them to remain a top side every year instead of every world cup year.
Posted 21:36 04th October 2012
kid_diablo says...
let's not start this super rugby season is too long stuff. the sh teams never considered that an acceptable reason for the nh teams problems and even at that super rugby is alot shorter than the nh season.
Posted 17:46 04th October 2012