Leinster look to Deans as Schmidt departure looms

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

From the Sindo today:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...eans-as-schmidt-departure-looms-29210840.html

BRENDAN FANNING â€" 21 April 2013

Australia coach Robbie Deans is being considered by Leinster as a possible replacement for Joe Schmidt, who is expected to be named as the new Ireland coach next weekend.


Other names on Leinster's list include current forwards coach Jono Gibbes along with Wellington Hurricanes and New Zealand under 20 coach Chris Boyd.


Even ahead of the Lions tour in June, Deans is under serious pressure in Australia, not least from current Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, and it's understood his name has been floating around the European market for the last month.


Leinster's problem, however, is the uncertainty over Deans' future Down Under, and whether or not they will retain him through to the World Cup in 2015. As one of the leading provinces in Europe, Leinster feel they can't afford a vacuum developing after Schmidt moves over to Lansdowne Road, and ideally want a replacement on site when pre-season training starts on July 1.


During his appearance on The Late Late Show on Friday night, Schmidt said talks with the IRFU had been positive and confirmed he is keen to get the job, which he described as "one of the big jobs in rugby".


It is understood that Leinster have had an ongoing list of potential successors for some months, and that Deans was first sounded out by the IRFU in relation to the Performance Director's job which is part of the Plan Ireland strategy.


Gibbes has been part of the Leinster set-up since 2008, though it's unclear whether he has ambitions to be a head coach at this stage in his career. Earlier in the season, Gibbes, scrum coach Greg Feek and skills coach Richie Murphy all increased their responsibilities for a short period, with Schmidt stepping back, to see how it would work out. Before long Schmidt picked up where he had left off, micro-managing the operation.


Chris Boyd (54) is a long-time coach who is currently heading up the Wellington provincial side, the Lions, as well as the New Zealand under 20 side.

Joe Schmidt's Leinster contract is due to expire in June 2014. Most expected that he'd leave at the end of that contract and return to New Zealand. Leinster will have been scouting coaches ahead of that expected departure. With Robbie Deans' contract with Australia due to end in November, he'd be a candidate to take the post the following July (assuming Ewen McKenzie gets the Australia job).

Now it appears as though Schmidt will leave Leinster in a couple of months to take the Ireland job. Given that "(Jono) Gibbes, scrum coach Greg Feek and skills coach Richie Murphy all increased their responsibilities for a short period" this season, they may be trusted in a caretaker role for a few months until Robbie Deans' Australia contract is up.

I don't think it will happen but I'd be delighted to see what Deans could do with Leinster.

 

[lynam1104]

Deans is good coach who, got a lot of bad press in Australia when his team wasn't preforming well which wasn't nessicarly his fault. I think he would be good with Leinster as Australia under him were/are open to playing expansive rugby which is what Leinster excel at but with a strong pack, which I assume Gibbes maages anyway. He also is clearly proven at this level with he Saders being so successful under him. I think of the names being rumored he'd be one I'd prefer.

 

[munstermuffin]

I sure if Deans was to be offered role he may possibly leave after Lions tour as the Rugby Championship may be given to McKenzie