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Graham Henry and Robbie Deans - Source: ONE Sport -
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Isn't it funny how the silence from the Henry-hater brigade is as deafening after an All Black victory as their righteous indignation after a defeat.
So, Robbie Deans has a "God-given right" to coach the All Blacks, does he?
So, the Wallabies dropping six games on the trot to their trans-Tasman foes is irrelevant because their 34-19 win in Sydney 14 months ago proved beyond any doubt that the NZRU were wrong to re-appoint Henry, is it?
Pffft.
The numbers simply don't stack up for the Henry-haters - not that they ever did. Uncle Ted's winning record over the past two years stands at 75%. Deans's is 56%
Since Deans took the helm, the Wallabies have won four of 13 Tests against Tri-Nations opposition. In fairness though, under Dingo they have achieved something the All Blacks haven't managed in over half a century - losing to Wales.
Previously these mishaps were excusable under that wonderful pretence of "building for the World Cup". But last weekend's capitulation at the Cake Tin plainly showed that while the All Blacks may be on shaky ground two years out from the World Cup, the Wallabies are building on quicksand.
Deans inherited a scrum that was the laughing stock of world rugby. Two years on, it still is.
More surprising is that their lineout, so formidable for so long, is now so clueless that they couldn't steal a single throw from an All Black hooker whose throwing this season has been about as accurate as his rabbit-shooting from a boat.
But it's in the high numbers where Deans has really lost the plot. He has the once-revered backline running from so deep that they have to gain 30 metres just to make the advantage line - and they never did on Saturday night.
And there's evidence in spades that Deans's famed man-management skills that came to the fore during the All Blacks' 2003 World Cup debacle are once again stifling his playmakers. Back then he overlooked one Christian Cullen for a little known Ben Atiga and then when crunch came to clutch played a fullback as a centre in a semi-final losing side.
Now, the erstwhile-unstoppable first five pairing of Giteau and Barnes appear strangely disinterested, and it seemed downright mean-spirited of Deans to pick a 10-year-old at fullback and then fail to inform him he was playing Test rugby, rather than auditioning for the lead role in the latest Bambi remake.
And what of the ongoing success of Canterbury and the Crusaders post-Deans? Does it suggest we were attributing too much of their brilliance to the coach and not enough to the players themselves, an accusation that the Henry-haters fire with glee every time someone does dare praise the All Blacks' think tank?
It is too soon to write Deans off? Maybe, maybe not, but he is now halfway to the World Cup with no tangible signs of improvement or rebuilding (other than getting rid of Matt Dunning). Quite the opposite, in fact.
And while no one knows better than an All Blacks fan that two years can be a long time in rugby, there's no question which of the two coaches is closer to tasting World Cup glory.
Who is winning the Henry-Deans war? Feel free to comment below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentkiwiscanfly said on 2009-10-02 @ 23:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
Very interesting comments, As an All Black loving Kiwi living in England,I get sick and tired of the comments of us being chokers.This is just what everyone over here thinks we are.How the hell could England get to the World Cup final after playing pretty badly,and the so called overwhelming favourite All Blacks could not.2 things here.Damn unlucky for the forward pass,but should have been enough points in front anyway. Tomorrow,N.Z. versus Pakistan.Surely not another choke
shanekiwi1 said on 2009-10-02 @ 06:53 NZDT: Report abusive post
the brain trust has passed it's used by date,our team has lost the mongrel aspect,lost the collective rugby brain.Our player's used to be able to score try's from set play without using league's dummy runners.What happened to creating a platform,retaining possesion and using the ball effectivly where did our mauling skill's go-dissapeared ?.We need to go back to basic's and stop this incessant force back game, giving away the ball.Jake white is from the old school an knows how to win a worldcup
cloudy said on 2009-10-01 @ 13:38 NZDT: Report abusive post
Of course it's not all the coaches fault, but the buck stops there. They select the players, if the players aren't performing than who is to blame? You cannot compare the 2 coaches, it is not fair to say that Deans is the problem why the Wallabies are not doing well. He inherited all their problems whereas Henry has been there forever and we are still having the same problems! Blacktrick is right, noone wins a race with flat tyres!
Daveyboy said on 2009-09-29 @ 17:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
Henry & Co didn't pay the price for the world cup debacle and alot of people are still (understandably) unhappy. At the top level there must be accountablility. This coaching panel has failed to win consistently in South Africa and continues to do so. Most NZ coaches would be able to achieve and 80% success rate with the ABs given their superior level to most teams. We saw questionable tactics and selections continue. They will unsurprsingly continue to face fierce scrutiny from the NZ public.
ebonyivory said on 2009-09-28 @ 12:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think its not all the coaches faults although, there must be a GOOD one somewhere in this country. I notice with ALL sport in this country netball, league etc it's the players attitudes that need working on, why it takes sooo long to get going in a game, maybe they need "syche training" instead; as the saying goes if you think you're going to LOSE YOUR RIGHT if you think your going to WIN YOUR RIGHT, sing their national anthem with pride it might make a difference instead of worrying.