Despite losing eight of the last 10 tests, Robbie Deans is unlikely to be sacked as Wallabies coach. Photo / Getty Images

Despite losing eight of the last 10 tests, Robbie Deans is unlikely to be sacked as Wallabies coach. Photo / Getty Images

CARDIFF - It was in Cardiff during this same November week four years ago that Eddie Jones learned his four-year reign as Wallabies coach was about to end, regardless of how his side fared against Wales that weekend.

The Australian Rugby Union considered seven defeats in eight tests simply unacceptable.

Jones would have to go.

The burning question now is how can Robbie Deans' position be so secure - as ARU boss John O'Neill stated this week - when Australia's record in 2009 is uncannily similar to that dire run in 2005?

The Wallabies take on Wales on Sunday (NZT) having won just two of their past 10 tests.

Before his sacking, Jones' class of '05 had lost three times to South Africa, twice to New Zealand, and once each to France and England on the spring tour before thrashing Ireland at Lansdowne Road in a result obviously viewed as meaningless to the doomed coach's employers.

Deans' mob have succumbed four times to New Zealand, twice to South Africa, beaten the Springboks once, as well as England at Twickenham, drawn with Ireland and suffered a first loss to Scotland in 27 years.

Why then should Deans, sleeping in the same Cardiff hotel at which Jones learned his fate, have the relative comfort of comfort of knowing he will be on deck next season even if the Wallabies stumble again on Sunday at Millennium Stadium?

There are several reasons, not least that O'Neill is not about to damage his own reputation by punting the coach he ushered in with much ado 18 months ago as the saviour of Australian rugby.

This consideration alone cannot be underestimated.

O'Neill, one of the most successful administrators Australian sport has known, is extremely unlikely to publicly admit he blundered in appointing the Wallabies' first foreign coach.

That aside, to even contemplate a coaching change midway through the four-year World Cup cycle requires having available candidates capable of successfully filling the void.

Presuming the ARU wouldn't go down the foreign path again, at least not immediately, there are no real viable options.

In truth, Jones, credited by the South African players as hugely influential in helping the Springboks win the 2007 World Cup after teaming with Jake White, remains Australia's most qualified coach.

But he won't be back.