Robbie Deans: Wants improvement
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes his team's performance in last week's victory over Argentina has "galvanised" them.
After injured fly-half Quade Cooper's claims that there is a "toxic" environment within the Wallabies squad and just a week after suffering a humiliating 31-8 defeat to South Africa in Pretoria, the injury-hit Wallabies showed great commitment in their 25-19 win over the Pumas in Rosario.
"Who knows? Those things are resolved down the path but there's no doubt some of the qualities they displayed in that game will be invaluable," Deans said when asked if the win could prove a turning point for his side.
"(But it was) very important, it was a great experience for this group.
"There were a couple experiencing their first starts in the backline and obviously there was a lot of youth in the side and it was a challenging circumstance, but they showed they fully understand what it's all about and played with a lot of pride and got the job done.
"We'll take everything of value out of it and there were some good things.
"Blokes who didn't have much background have played some good rugby. Most importantly the team really galvanised and came together and played for each other and that spirit was evident."
Deans admitted that the inaugural Rugby Championship was a tough tournament but even though the Wallabies finished as runners-up he knows there's plenty of room for improvement.
"It's a good tournament, all the sides were competitive," he said.
"Every side gave every other side moments of anxiety but clearly the All Blacks have set the benchmark.
"They won the tournament, we came second which under the circumstances probably wasn't a bad effort but it's not one that we're happy with.
"You don't enter these tournaments to come second."
The Wallabies host the All Blacks in the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane on 20 October and Deans knows the importance of putting in a good performance against the world champions.
"Obviously we've got to improve to get that job done but we'll rest up and recover and really hone in on that opportunity," he said.
Comments
bokbfok says...
Geeez taking some stick for that one, Yes all, i got it horribly wrong, humble apologies to all, especially RD and the Oz squad. Well done on your 2nd place finish with so many injuries to 1st choice players. I would like to add that this apology also goes to "new j4a" who almost didn't deserve it for his close minded generalisation. God Bless all
Posted 09:18 15th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
Wallaroo:
"he has done a fine job with a young and inexperienced team" I'd also add in there 2/3 string youngsters (just to p off the kiwis with their dinosaurs !!!)
And we have no depth in our young kids coming through, yet for the past couple of years Australia has beaten NZ at schoolboys !
Imagine if we took Rugby Union seriously here in Aus !!!
Posted 23:48 12th October 2012
Wallaroo says...
@Trinats, for once you have got it right, mate you are now my all time hero (lol for the kiwis who don't get humour).
Welll, well georgie your wisdom never ceases to maze me, you obviously challenging Einstein for the most recognised intellect in the world.
Regardless of all the if and buts, Deans has a point that the team despite all the negatives entering into the final game worked well together. The useless Nathan Sharpe obviously afraid of georgesmith captained superbly. Honestly the only gripe I have with Deans is our deteriorating record against the AB's since he has taken over as coach, other than that he has done a fine job with a young and inexperienced team.
Posted 12:10 12th October 2012
DameEdnasPossum says...
Love all the ifs and buts.
If my aunty had balls she'd be my uncle.
The Wallabies beat the NH grand-slam champs 3-0 and then came second in the inaugural RC tournament to remain at IRB No.2 and after playing some rather ugly, injury ridden games.
There's no doubt the men in black are currently better than the rest of us added together, but...rather than look backwards with all your ifs and buts, look forwards to the 'when' of the wobblies getting it together.
In the words of a famous blond kiwi who knew how to shake her money maker, "it won't happen overnight, but it will happen."
There's another '90's on the way. I can feel it in my waters, just as O'Neil can feel it in his farewell chardonnay.
Posted 09:01 12th October 2012
Waz4before says...
I don't believe that one result should condemn a coach but grief, one result has certainly saved Deans here and thats just as wrong. If the results aren't enough surely the style of play is enough to warrant a rethink, either on Dean's part or the ARU's who seem remarkably quite on the current situation, and then he seems unable to control sections of his squad (Cooper's not alone apparently) and lets be honest, Australian sportsman shouting their mouth off - Normal Robbie, thats normal, you have to be able to lead it not behave like a petulant child when it happens ..... sigh; tickets for Suncorp in a few weeks time look like tickets to watch Custer's last stand at the moment !!
Posted 04:20 12th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
sandal:
I see you are starting to lighten up, you have added some humour !!! Good effort !!
Posted 12:04 11th October 2012
new_j4a says...
would be nice to see bokbfok come on here and admit he got it wrong....but don't hold your breath...another thick, ref tackling, Bulls fan, I think
Posted 07:54 11th October 2012
sandal says...
@Trader2
No, the Springboks were third.
Australia were third from bottom, New Zealand fourth from bottom.
Posted 05:37 11th October 2012
damo says...
Wat a joke Ozzies are as bad as ever, Argies were murdered on pens by Joubert the crook and if it was a fair fight they would have won
Posted 22:48 10th October 2012
georgesmith says...
Sack the bloody Kiwi clown and send him back to the circus.
Posted 21:56 10th October 2012
Trinats2 says...
Australia finished first, NZ cheated all the way !!!
Posted 21:14 10th October 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
I thought Boks should have lost in Argentina in which case indeed points difference would be needed to put them above Argentina for the bronze medal.
Posted 15:40 10th October 2012
melkdave says...
Well nice to see Deans is optomistic ,but a realality check is just around the corner.Yes they played for eachother,and came together as a group,But god it was a awful game ,both sides where very very poor.The wallabies understandably so in the circumstances ,but Argentina where even worse,their worst performance in nearly a decade imo..But still nice to see deans hasnt lost faith in his players,unlike the ozzie media and some fans,who give him so much unwarrented crap ..
Posted 14:23 10th October 2012
ozinlondon says...
bokbfok - I'm sure others will have already mentioned this... but I think the Bok's draw (where Aus won) is clouding your thinking.
Same number of points but Aus won 3 games and the Boks won 2. Points difference is irrelevant.
Posted 14:17 10th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Trust a Bokke to get it wrong and I am sure I won't be the first to explain it to him but the Wannabies finished 2nd on the basis of three wins against SA's two wins. Them's the rules bokbfok you finished third, or if you look at it another way, second bottom.
Posted 13:36 10th October 2012
peewee2 says...
bokbfok, it is you that should check again.
Since when does points difference over rule the number of wins?
Maybe in your back yard, but certainly nowhere else on this sporting planet.
Posted 12:48 10th October 2012
notajokebok says...
bokfok you are wrong !
Posted 12:46 10th October 2012
tha_mai says...
check again bokbfok - Australia are second in the RC.
As per headline on SANZAR site: Wallabies win in Rosario to finish runners-up in The Rugby Championship
Both on twelve points, it's wins that count - 3 wins beats 2 wins + a draw.
SANZAR: i. In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the competition table such position shall be determined by the team with the most wins in The Rugby Championship.
Posted 12:34 10th October 2012
bokbfok says...
Check again Robbie, i think that win is clouding your mathematical judgement........i think you'll find you came 3rd. SA 2nd with a superior points difference. 12 log points each SA (+11) to OZ (-36)
Posted 12:06 10th October 2012
startledwombat says...
There's a lot of pride in his team in Deans's words.
Considering the pounding he's taken from the Australian media, I think that's quite something.
Posted 11:27 10th October 2012