Rugby: Deans under pressure as Wallabies try to break hex

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is keen to pin a rare Eden Park win tomorrow night. Photo / Getty Images

Graham Henry's love-hate relationship with the New Zealand's rugby public will endure until the 2011 World Cup but rival Robbie Deans' honeymoon period could be on the wane if he cannot mastermind a rare Wallabies win on Eden Park tomorrow.

While the All Blacks are under pressure, having produced three less-than-spectacular performances against France and Italy last month, Henry might take comfort in the fact the time has arrived for Deans to deliver in the Tri-Nations opener.

Twelve months on from the Wallabies' stunning victory in Sydney -- the perfect start to the Deans reign soon after he failed to replace Henry as All Blacks coach - Australia have lost three on the bounce against their neighbours.

And ominously they have not won on Eden Park in 10 attempts since 1986.

Henry's stocks rose when Richie McCaw's return enabled the side to exact revenge in Auckland a week after the Sydney debacle.

Ultimately the Bledisloe Cup was locked down before the All Blacks' dominance was confirmed in the fourth test of the series in Hong Kong last November.

Deans' first year in charge also included a record 53-8 hiding in in South Africa and only their second loss to Wales since the 1987 World Cup.

So for all the scrutiny Henry is exposed to, former Crusaders coach Deans needs to prove his methods can mould an adaptable and mentally strong unit.

Once again, his team must win three of the four Bledisloe matches this season if the Cup is to reside in Sydney for the first time since 2003.

Fitness, composure and self belief were lacking when the Wallabies flunked the Eden Park test last year but Deans and senior players insist they have learned from that humiliation.

If nothing else, Deans has had longer to make his imprint on the squad. he had a short lead-in last season after coaching the Crusaders to Super 14 glory days before switching allegiance.

"Our understanding and clarity on what we're trying to achieve has improved," said Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock.

Second five-eighth Berrick Barnes felt progress was inevitable now Deans had bedded down his philosophies.

"It was good to come into this year and have the structures down pat," he said.

"I think that showed in the (season opening) Barbarians game, the way we were able to get things together and get rolling as a team.

"We're not as fluid as we want to be but we know if we can get our game plan right and get our guys in the right positions we can create a lot of stress on the opposition."

Deans, meanwhile, has experienced less stress in one regard since returning home - his coaching duel with Henry is not as prominent as last year.

"It was ludicrous, everyone was talking about the coaches," he said.

"Now its settled into a more normal frequency."

Henry has certainly cut a more jovial figure this week.

However, unlike the corresponding fixture last year, he is not facing the prospect of three straight losses so soon after his controversial reappointment as head coach.

He also has the security of having McCaw available for the first time this season to engage nemesis George Smith, in what is the Australian flanker's 100th test.

Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Hore and Sitiveni Sivivatu are also back from injury although, like McCaw, they are underdone and there is a massive leadership void in the backline with Daniel Carter not back until September at the earliest.

Teammates and management have rallied around first five-eighth Stephen Donald before his 12th test, where he must counter Wallabies maestro Matt Giteau.

"We've gone through the normal process, he always prepares well," Henry said of Donald's mental state.

Although the All Blacks have some breathing space against the Wallabies given Deans needs three victories for a tangible reward, Henry realises the continuation of New Zealand's 15-year unbeaten record at the venue will relieve some pressure before tests against the Springboks in Bloemfontein and Durban.

The All Blacks head for the Republic on Sunday morning.

- NZPA