AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans says there`ll be nothing personal in his first battle with his homeland as upbeat the Wallabies turn their attention to New Zealand and one of the most anticipated Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup Tests in years.The Wallabies ensured a blockbuster at ANZ Stadium next Saturday night with a determined 16-9 upset of world champions South Africa at Subiaco Oval.
Deans, who was knocked back for the New Zealand coaching job last year in favour of incumbent Graham Henry, gets his first chance to prove the Kiwis got it wrong next weekend after four Tests undefeated at Australia`s helm.
And the Wallabies will get to experience what was once unthinkable - at least for former Australian captain Nick Farr-Jones - when they hear their coach`s Bledisloe gee-up in a Kiwi accent.
Asked if the next assignment was personal, ever cool Deans said: “No, not at all. It`s New Zealand against Australia and honestly it`s great to be part of that.
“There will be a piece of me in there in terms of the contest and wanting the group to thrive but it`s team on team.”
The Wallabies came through Saturday night`s physical encounter relatively unscathed with captain Stirling Mortlock (head knock) and No.8 Wycliff Palu (leg) both expected to be right for Saturday.
Lock Dan Vickerman also made it through a club match on Saturday and could come into calculations.
But the big selection shock could come from the All Blacks with Deans suggesting injured skipper Richie McCaw might make a faster than anticipated return.
“There`s word of that,” Deans said. “It wouldn`t surprise me. He`s a good recoverer.”
That development would turn the breakdown into a war zone after Australia did some crunching work against South Africa.
“They did create enough success around the collisions to get on to the front foot and to create those opportunities,” Deans said of his forwards` work.
“And there is no short-cut, you can`t get by without that.
“The scrum stood up so we had a platform that we could play with and that`s what you seek in every encounter.
“(The backs) brought an enthusiasm to play from the start to the end which was going to be a necessity ... and that`s the only reason they got home.”
Deans` inside knowledge of the All Blacks` strengths and weaknesses, particularly of his former Crusaders players, will be a key component in Australia`s preparation, but the coach was playing it down today.
“That`s the question isn`t it, and how much of that is relevant is the other thing because life moves on,” he said.
“They`re in a different context, a different group, different methods and they`ll also be very aware of what I know of them and they`ll be aware that I`m aware of what they know of me.”
He added that targeting champion flyhalf Daniel Carter could be counter-productive.
While the Wallabies` handling looked to take a leap forward against the Springboks with a stunning move for a Lote Tuqiri try, one area of concern is still halfback Luke Burgess` passing game.
“My game was a little disappointing again, my clearance wasn`t great and technically I seem to be letting myself down at times,” a disappointed Burgess said.
“When the ruck`s not super clean it`s difficult but I`ve had to deal with that a lot so I should be able to clear better than I am at the moment.”
AAP
