KEY POINTS:
I'm shocked by the New Zealand Rugby Union allowing Robbie Deans to remain in charge of the Crusaders for 2008, even though he is the new Wallaby coach.
I've got no problem with Deans' integrity but it's a ridiculous situation - when you move in life you move
on and that's what should have happened with Deans.
This situation for the next five months is going to make life difficult for the New Zealand selectors, who have a lot of meetings with Super 14 coaches about their assessment of players. He will be an enemy in the camp now. It's a situation that is not good for New Zealand rugby.
Maybe it was "feel sorry for Robbie week". I can only assume that despite what they say, the NZRU do listen to talkback and made a populist decision because the Crusaders felt they were being left in the lurch.
The NZRU was feeling the heat and tried to balance the ledger.
And I'm not so sure the Aussies will be all that pleased. John O'Neill claimed he would have no problem with it, but he might have quietly assumed the NZRU would give Deans the flick.
It is a shame because it was a chance for another New Zealand coach to step up with the Crusaders. It could have been a royal chance to promote a coach such as Pat Lam or Wayne Pivac.
Clearly, you do not have to be too politically smart to win the big jobs in Australia, because Deans is not savvy in this area. He didn't run a great campaign for the All Blacks job. He needed to talk to the NZRU councillors, and get a strong team in place. There was talk of him bringing in Lam and Vern Cotter, but maybe he needed to align himself with someone like Colin Cooper.
I'm not even sure if Cotter could have got out of his French contract. Graham Henry was smarter politically, and had the better team in place whereas Deans was a bit naive - maybe he knew he was going to lose all along.
Deans will be a very good fit in Australia, considering the type of culture he has developed with the Crusaders, although it will be very interesting to see who he gets as his assistants. Deans uses a very intelligent structure and Australia has a lot of intelligent footballers, although he might be limited by the amount of talent at his disposal.
As John Connolly did, he will put a lot of work into getting their front five up to standard. Deans' presence will really freshen up the Wallabies, and I can see a player like Matt Giteau, who is already a superstar, really flourishing.
As for Australian icons who have criticised the Deans move, I'm sure they will fall into line now that he has the job.
This is an amazing situation, and a lot different to a New Zealander coaching Wales or Ireland which are on the other side of the world. It is a bit of a knock for Australian rugby. But it is fantastic for rugby in terms of publicity and I'm sure O'Neill will use it to the hilt. It's just what the Tri-Series needs.
It adds a lot of spice and the rugby union should make the most of it.
