Robbie Deans gets two-year extension with ARU
The Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup have so far proved beyond his capabilities but the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is convinced Robbie Deans is the man to mastermind the sport's resurgence.
Deans, who joined the ARU in 2008 as the Wallabies head coach after missing out on the All Blacks' top job, today had his tenure extended to the end of 2013.
"The board is confident Robbie Deans remains the best man for the job, based on the seamless way he has reshaped the personnel and team culture of the Wallabies," ARU chairman Peter McGrath said in a statement.
"We are second in the IRB (International Rugby Board) world rankings, up from five when Robbie took over, and we have a young team playing an exciting brand of rugby and moving in the right direction."
Under Deans, the Wallabies have won 26 tests, drawn one and lost 20, for a 55 percent win percentage.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill said the Wallabies, under Deans, had produced some breakthrough results in recent seasons, including a win at altitude in South Africa for the first time in 47 years and a record breaking win over France on last year's northern hemisphere tour.
"The away record has certainly improved under Robbie and that was emphasised again on the weekend with a wonderful win over the Springboks (14-9 in Durban) despite the rigours of travel and a one week turnaround after playing the All Blacks in Auckland," he said.
"We are still working towards where we want to be in terms of overall winning percentages and the collection of major silverware.
"However, the win on the weekend keeps us in the hunt at this stage for the Tri-Nations ***le this season and the game's ultimate prize (the World Cup) will be decided in New Zealand over September-October.
"There is no doubt Robbie has earmarked and brought through a new generation of Wallabies stars and we have certainly not stood still over the 3-1/2 years he has been in charge of the national team," O'Neill said.
Deans, who was en route from South Africa to Sydney when the statement was released, said he was looking forward to continuing with the Wallabies beyond 2011.
"I'm pleased to have gained the backing of the board," he said.
"A large number of players have recommitted to Australian rugby this year, I'm pleased to be joining them."
The All Blacks remain a significant blight in his career at the Wallabies. After a first-up win at Sydney in 2008 the Wallabies lost 10 successive tests until their narrow win in Hong Kong last October.The New Zealanders reasserted themselves on August 6 when they retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 30-14 triumph in Auckland.
Deans' retention had been forecast for some time and means he will have an opportunity to coach against the British and Irish Lions when they tour Australia in 2013.
His immediate focus will be finalising his 30-man World Cup squad, to be announced on Thursday, and then prepare for the Tri-Nations finale against the All Blacks in Brisbane on August 27.
- NZPA
