KEY POINTS:
There has been only one moment of uncertainty for new Wallaby coach Robbie Deans after he accepted the offer to take his rugby knowledge across the Tasman.
He had no doubt he made the right decision once he was overlooked for the All Blacks role, he wanted to
coach again at international level and the Wallabies had a vacancy.
But when he addressed those troops in the Melbourne team room before the opening test against Ireland, he hesitated. Not because of any coaching ability misgivings, just one of those rare moments of personal uncertainty.
"I looked at it through the players' eyes and I thought that this must be novel for these blokes because they will be thinking, is he with us?
"It was the only moment when I have had an outer body experience and thought 'Gee what is this all about'," Deans recalled.
Since that momentary glitch, Deans has overseen four Wallaby wins in four outings in his return to international coaching after a two-year stint with the All Blacks.
This Saturday in Sydney those sides collide in what should be a colossal contest to begin the annual Bledisloe Cup series.
Since the triumphant end of his Super 14 coaching career, Deans' focus has been on absorbing details about the new players under his command in the Wallaby strip, finding out what makes them tick and how he can enhance their potential.
"It has been a total immersion in rugby, there has not been a lot of balance but that will happen," he said this week.
Since his arrival, Deans has had little time for anything but rugby. He has ducked home briefly to Christchurch and wife Penny and their three children have visited,and should be at Saturday's test.
But most of his time has been absorbed in his new role. The results have come, there has been a gradual rise in performance, the Wallabies and Australia have embraced Deans. Especially after the latest gritty win in Perth against the Springboks.
"I loved the pride they showed, it was not perfect but it was a huge effort and there was a willingness to carry the ball," Deans said. He had worried the Wallabies might be caught out by their lack of work with the ELVs but that did not eventuate.
The Tri-Nations was all set up for this Saturday's clash in Sydney. Deans accepted there would be massive public interest about his part in the contest, it would be a unique experience to coach against his homeland and he could not see it as anything other than an exciting opportunity. It would be a special chapter in a special competition.
He knew from his time with the All Blacks, how difficult it was to win the trophy, he understood the magnitude of the task and was certain this week would be no different.
The All Blacks were travelling well, they should have won their last test at Carisbrook while the Wallabies probably benefited from the Springboks' victory that day.
"This weekend could be an epic like we have not seen for some time," Deans said with all the enthusiasm of a born-again marketer.
He had no doubt this test would go up several notches again from what both sides had produced already this season. Both sides were in good shape, the All Blacks would be rested and his Wallabies were better for the hitout in Perth.
It would be critical that the Wallabies contained All Black general Daniel Carter without obsessing about the star five-eighths.
"He is a remarkable rugby player but you can't overload on him because he is of such class he will find others," Deans warned.
Deans will reveal his Wallaby side today, one which may see the return of senior lock Dan Vickerman as James Horwill recovers from a foot injury and some other niggles. Flanker Rocky Elsom and No 8 Wycliff Palu did not train yesterday as they continued to recover from the effects of the Perth test though both are expected to be named in the starting XV.
