KEY POINTS:
Robbie Deans knows a fair few New Zealanders will be cheering on his Wallabies rugby team this weekend.
The coach has a flurry of text messages to prove it.
"I've received a lot more of those (supportive) than the other way, but I don't give my number out
to the others," he said yesterday with a laugh.
Whether he cares about the bizarre prospect of disgruntled Kiwis barracking against the All Blacks is another matter.
His game face is on for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test which he predicts will be "an epic we haven't seen for some time" - judging by the intensity of the three Tri-Nations matches to date.
"People are entitled to their own choice and their own motivation. It's not really something that I, or we, will be dwelling on," Deans said as the test countdown began at the Wallabies' Sydney beachfront hotel.
"I just hope there's interest, and I suspect there has been a bit of interest generated in my involvement here.
"If that manifests itself in a way that creates a real cauldron, then that's great. That's what's good about working at this level, it doesn't get any better."
Not only had he received a flood of New Zealand support, but also some handy intelligence.
He was tipped off on Sunday about the prospect of his former Crusaders captain Richie McCaw making a faster-than-expected recovery from an ankle injury.
Sure enough, McCaw galloped around the training field at Wellington's Rugby League Park yesterday to raise hopes of a return, with Deans' coaching rival Graham Henry to confirm his side today.
Deans insisted he'd had little time to digest the prospect of coaching against his countrymen since he hopped over the Tasman nearly two months ago, and immersed himself in the new job leading up to Saturday's 16-9 win over the Springboks in Perth.
As the All Blacks got down to business in Wellington, Deans assessed his walking wounded at Coogee and finally cast his mind towards how he might feel just after 10pm (NZT) at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
"Obviously it's going to be unique, a new experience for me, but I can't see it being anything other than pure excitement. In time I'll get the opportunity to reflect. Until then it's just hands to the pump."
After a quiet day in the gym and the Sydney winter sun yesterday, the Wallabies have their first training of the week today before Deans names his side on Wednesday.
Despite a nasty head knock for captain Stirling Mortlock and heavy bumps and bruising for loose forwards Wycliff Palu and Rocky Elsom in Perth, Deans was hopeful all three would be fit.
Imposing lock Dan Vickerman also enters the frame to replace James Horwill, after Deans said he emerged unscathed from a second Sydney club match in his recovery from an ankle injury.
Deans was impressed more with his side's pride than their overall methods in Perth in their first Tri-Nations match, which extended their unbeaten streak under his guidance.
He was also realistic enough to think they may have been flattered by the result.
"The All Blacks have played some good rugby and they probably should have won that fixture in Dunedin.
"We've since beaten South Africa but I don't think that diminishes what the All Blacks achieved. We had the benefit of the South Africans having come off two tough encounters, possibly a little bit conscious of the fact they were flying home the next day.
"We might have been lucky to catch them on an emotional downer where they'd done something they hadn't done in a decade (winning in New Zealand)."
-NZPA
