Lote Tuquiri. Photo / Paul Estcourt
Australian great Nick Farr-Jones may have a problem with it, but current Wallabies Lote Tuqiri and Rocky Elsom say they will have no trouble getting revved up by a New Zealander before a rugby test.
World Cup-winning skipper Farr-Jones questioned how players would react having a foreign coach
deliver his final speech in the dressing sheds ahead of a test before last week's appointment of New Zealander Robbie Deans as the new Wallabies mentor.
If Tuqiri and Elsom are any indication, it won't make any difference whatsoever to the Australian players.
"I don't think there will be anything lacking, because you are a professional player and you do do things professionally," Tuqiri said.
"I don't think you lack hunger because you're from another place.
"(Having a foreign coach) doesn't really both me."
Flanker Elsom expected Deans' job for a test would be well and truly done by the time the players ran out to play.
"Coaching on the day is probably a bit late anyway," Elsom said.
"I think he'll do his best work at the beginning of the week and leave the back end to us."
Winger Tuqiri appears one Wallaby with most to benefit under Deans, a coach noted for his attacking and expansive approach with the Crusaders in the Super 14.
While not wanting to predict too much about what having Deans as coach will mean to his own game, Tuqiri said one of the main elements he believed the 48-year-old would bring was "a good team culture".
"His teams always seem to be in harmony and he seems to always have everybody in check and always wanting to play for each other," Tuqiri said.
"And I guess if he can get that, it's a big part of being successful, having a good team ethos.
"I think he plays an expansive type game where forwards can be in the backline as well ... it's not that we're not doing it now, but I think he's a coach that likes to see his players throw the ball around."
- AAP
