Bring on the June Tests: Deans
Josh Rakic | May 10, 2009
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has scoffed at suggestions next month's Test series is a waste of time, confirming Italy and France have committed to sending full-strength line-ups.
Criticised in the past for being exhibition matches with B-grade sides touring at the end of a tough European season, the mid-year Test series looms as the Wallabies' best preparation yet for the all-important Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup - trophies Australia have not held for more than half a decade.
"June will be a good work out - a seriously good work-out," insisted Deans, hosing down speculation the Wallabies would head into the all-important contests underdone.
"Italy are building and they're part of our pool at the World Cup, so they want to maximise what they can derive from this series. They are a more than competitive nation now. They got close to everyone in the Six Nations and they got close to us last year.
"They pushed us hard … they're very physical and they're more than capable. It'll sharpen us up for what's coming later in the year. I have no doubt they'll send their strongest team over.
"And the French, the last Test in June, have committed to bringing a top line-up and they will achieve that because it's on June 27 and their finals are [in early] June.
"With Bernard Lapasset being the president of the IRB, it'll ensure that they do because it's protocol. June's going to be a good work-out ahead of the big series."
Unlike the situation in 2008, Deans is in the enviable position of having plenty of in-form players from which to choose the Wallabies squad. He said tough decisions would be made.
"Some players who have played international rugby will miss out," he said. "The critical thing won't be who's in the team but what they do with their time in the team."
The down-to-earth Kiwi, Australian rugby's first international coach, will not name his squad until the last Australian Super 14 team has completed its season. He said the majority of the squad would pick themselves.
"They're pretty obvious, most of the decisions, but fullback's a position where there is still an opportunity for someone to make it their own," he said.
"Lachlan Turner's in the mix, and he'll certainly be enjoying the chance at the Waratahs and he's thriving on the game time he's getting.
"There are still some others positions where we're not flush. At tighthead there's still an opportunity."
With Australia's most-capped prop, Al Baxter, still keen and Matt Dunning in career-best shape after recovering from a horror ankle injury, there's proof even the Wallabies' veterans are hungrier than ever to reinstate Australia as the southern hemisphere's No.1 team.
Deans said signs the team would improve were definitely there.
"I'm pretty confident of the fact that they players will be really keen to do something this year. We made a start last year, but there are still elements of frustration as well. But it's time we moved on. We've got a pretty stable group essentially.
"What we have learned in 13 years since going professional is the value of experience. I think we got a little bit confused early and chased youth, but it became evident experience was missing."
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...727659325.html
---------- Post added at 10:01 ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 ----------
the Brumbies frontrow held and at times dominated an All Black frontrow last night and without Stephen Moore... so Shepherdson and Alexander should be in the mix...
The Wallabies will have a great squad this year...
