Rugby: Nucifora on Deans

Blues mentor David Nucifora has yet to decide if he would like to assist new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, should he be asked.

The Wallabies assistants are expected to be announced next month. Nucifora says assisting Deans is not something that has crossed his mind. He says it is something he has not thought about as he's only just got his head around what's happened over the last couple of days.

David Nucifora believes it was inevitable Deans would be appointed to the Wallabies job as soon as he applied for it. And he is expecting the Australian rugby public to welcome Deans into his new position.

Some former players have opposed Deans' appointment because they believe an Australian should have got the nod. But Nucifora does not believe Deans will face any opposition. He says they will absorb Deans into the Australian rugby environment and he will have little trouble fitting in.

Nucifora says Deans will learn quickly that there are some differences between New Zealand and Australian players. He says he is satisfied with the ARU's selection process which has seen Robbie Deans appointed as the new Wallabies coach. The ARU appeared to wait to and see what Deans' availability would be before making their decision. Nucifora says the process has not left a sour taste in his mouth. He says he had his head around the selection process and that is just the way it is.

- NEWSTALK ZB