Modest coach Deans is on a higher plane

Departing stars Justin Marshall and Dave Hewett may have been the ones taking the bow last night, but the crowning glory on the evening really belonged to Crusaders coach Robbie Deans.

He's not the sort to push himself into the spotlight, which is fortunate, as he could really hog it if he ever craved it.

His failures have been losing two consecutive Super 12 finals - failures every other coach would love to brag about. And had it not been for Ben Blair doing his Krusty the Klown impression throughout last year's final, he might only have had one defeat in the debit column.

It's an extraordinary record, one that screams out for Deans not to be considered a spent force at All Black level. So he's been there and done that, serving as John Mitchell's assistant. Rather than count against him, that stint should be seen as vital experience. A period where he presumably learned a huge amount about test football, handling the media and team selection.

The latter skill is certainly one Deans has mastered. Player selection at the Crusaders has been a very exact science. There has been a succession plan for almost every position.

When Andrew Mehrtens was looking like age and carefree summers were catching up with him, in came Dan Carter. When it turned out that Aaron rather than Nathan Mauger had hogged the family's talent genes, Casey Laulala stepped forward as a very convincing solution to a potential midfield drama.

Scott Robertson took off for Perpignan and Mose Tuiali'i slipped in so effortlessly he was an All Black 13 games later. And then there is Rico Gear, arguably the best selection of all. With Gear's finishing power, the Crusaders have shifted their tactical emphasis to the counter attack. Again it is Deans who has masterminded the evolution, proving he's always thinking, always working on ways to keep his side ahead of the chasing pack.

His selections have been complemented by a team culture that has promoted the individual but never ahead of the team. Big stars have never been allowed to build big egos.

Note how Justin Marshall has never said a bad word against the Crusaders or Deans. Note how Mehrtens, allegedly at odds with Deans for much of the 2003 and 2004 seasons, has never uttered any dissent publicly and turned down the chance to join the Hurricanes at the end of last year.

Then there are players like Ron Cribb, rated a basket case by the Blues, only to become a top quality All Black after one season with the Crusaders.

As a man steeped in Canterbury folklore and so closely associated with the Crusaders, Deans will never win nationwide accolade. That won't bother him as long as it doesnt prevent him from reaching higher office.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY