KEY POINTS:
Win or lose this weekend Super 14 final, Robbie Deans will leave the Crusaders and New Zealand rugby with a reputation second to none. This country's pre-eminence in the competition is due in no small part to the culture he has nurtured in Canterbury. Before this year's final
against the Waratahs, the Crusaders, under his tutelage, had won the title four times in just eight years. It is little wonder there is much nervousness about the ramifications of his departure to coach the Wallabies. In the most nightmarish of scenarios, a Deans-inspired Australia defeats the All Blacks at Eden Park in the final of the 2011 World Cup.
Success with Australia will not, however, come overnight. The Wallabies have some glaring problems, most notably in the front row. But Deans has an undoubted knack of preparing well-drilled teams that play with both intensity and nous. There was no greater example of this than the Crusaders' nullification of the Hurricanes in last weekend's semi-final. Having accrued a record number of points, the Crusaders' form had wavered towards the end of the round-robin games. Against the Wellington-based team, they provided a lesson in finals rugby.
Deans has undoubtedly had a strong foundation, thanks to the Canterbury region's flair for recruiting widely and well. But a collection of very good players does not necessarily make a very good team. They need to be moulded efficiently and directed authoritatively.
Deans was also fortunate to take over a Crusaders team that had triumphed in the preceding two championships. But plenty of coaches have inherited strong squads, only to squander the work of their predecessors.
In a professional era, some of these would doubtless point to extenuating circumstances, especially the loss of leading players overseas. Deans, however, would have no time for such excuses.
Planning and attention to detail were among his strengths. Players came into, and left, the Crusaders in what appeared a seamless manner.
When a world-class first five-eighth like Andrew Mehrtens departed, Dan Carter was ready to take his place. With Carter poised to go, Stephen Brett has been introduced, and is already talked of as a prospective All Black.
Equally impressively, Deans has overseen Brad Thorn's successful shift back and forth from rugby league to rugby.
All this was not lost on the Crusaders players who, as a man, have always spoken glowingly of their coach.
None were richer in their praise than players recruited to the Crusaders from outside the franchise area.
No 8 Mose Tuiali'i was typical of players who ventured south and relished the environment so much that they became Crusader stalwarts. It spoke volumes of Deans' influence and expertise that it was rare for such players to move on while in their prime. The Crusaders' culture and level of success provided the optimum opportunity for them to fulfil their potential. There was no greater evidence of this than in 2002, when the Crusaders supplied all but Jonah Lomu for an All Black test against Ireland at Eden Park.
As a Canterbury fullback during one of that province's great Ranfurly Shield reigns and an All Black, Deans enjoyed a significant headstart with the Crusaders' followers. He cannot expect such a comfortable ride across the Tasman.
He will, for starters, have to be more forthcoming to the media. Australians like straight talking, not the circumlocutory responses that have become his stock in trade.
But Australians also know they have every right to believe they will derive a significant benefit from New Zealand's decision to stick with Graham Henry. Just how big will be apparent in a couple of seasons.
