Rate it!

0 votes

While no trophies are at stake in the final Tri-Nations match between New Zealand and Australia on Saturday, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will be seeking signs of greater consistency from his young side.

Deans, who was appointed in 2007 after missing out on the All Blacks coaching job, is in his sophomore year of a four-year plan to develop a team capable of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy at Eden Park, Auckland in two years time.

After spending last year fixing their scrum, the Wallabies appeared to have stalled their progress this year, with some critics suggesting they may have even gone backwards when they lost their first four games of the Tri-Nations.

Deans shook up the team after the fourth loss, a 32-25 defeat to the Springboks in Perth, with the revamped side producing an impressive 21-6 reverse in Brisbane a week later.

The former Canterbury Crusaders coach said he hoped the result would allow his young team to grow in confidence, not only for Saturday's match at Westpac Stadium but also as he continued his building for the 2011 World Cup.

"I think we are starting to turn in the right direction," Deans said. "I think we as a group are treading better. We got a confirmation of that two weeks ago (by beating the Springboks) and we don't want that to dissipate."

While Deans was acutely aware his side had lost their last five games to the All Blacks, the last four of which after they had held second-half leads, he suspected his team were not so bogged down by the history.

"I guess the thing you get with a young group is they aren't burdened with the past and they are very excited about the opportunity. I think they showed that in Brisbane.

"We are hopeful that will have been a fillip for them, that some of that will have galvanised into a deeper set of belief because when you look at the history that has been a contributing factor that lack of belief."

Deans also said he expected a backlash from the All Blacks after South Africa won the Tri-Nations for the first time since 2004 last week with their 32-29 victory in Hamilton.

"Obviously in terms of the Tri-Nations there's not a lot at stake but you're dealing with two proud rugby nations (and)... it's a damn important game to us.

"I think the one thing you can be sure of is there will be a response from the All Blacks. As history shows, whenever they are under pressure they respond."

Reuters