Robbie Deans in NZ with ill father as Wallabies fly to South Africa

[jargan83]

Robbie Deans in NZ with ill father as Wallabies fly to South Africa

July 31, 2009

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans flew to New Zealand to be with his seriously ill father as his team was departing for South Africa on Friday.

Deans travelled home to Christchurch early on Friday and was expected to link up with the team in Cape Town on Sunday, six days before their Tri Nations Test against the Springboks.

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell said the players' thoughts were with their coach and his family and Deans' later arrival in South Africa would not seriously affect their match preparation.

"Not at all, we don't train till Monday so I think at this stage Robbie isn't going to get there till Sunday night, but if not he'll come later in the week," Mitchell told reporters at Sydney airport.

"We've all been working together. We all know where we are trying to get to and what we need to do to achieve that.

"But at the moment our thoughts are with Robbie and his family and hopefully everything goes right."

Deans' coaching assistants Jim Williams and Richard Graham were with the team as it flew out from Sydney on Friday morning and would be expected to take charge of its preparation until Deans arrives.


AAP

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html

[Thequeerone]

The story I heard didn't mention his father just that he missed the plane - I was hoping for a tale involving a Kangaroo court presided over by Sharpie .. but obliviously things are a little different.

[.X.]

Here's hoping Mr Deans (Senior) has a speedy recovery from whatever is ailing him.