Frustrated Deans says it's time for heads to roll
Rupert Guinness | August 11, 2009
COACH Robbie Deans concedes that if the Wallabies are to turn around their Tri Nations misfortunes after successive losses to the All Blacks and Springboks, he will need to unleash some good old fire and brimstone - including handing the most errant of his players their last warnings.
As Deans and the Wallabies returned to Sydney from their 29-17 loss to South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday morning (Sydney time), he said his side's poor discipline and lineout were key factors in the defeat.
''That is the second instance of that [after the loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park three weeks ago]. So until we get that right we are not going to prevail in this competition.'' he said, referring to the sin-binning of three players (at one stage, Australia had 13 players on the field) and the loss of nine lineout throws in Cape Town.
Asked if it was time to give his side a ''rev up'' rather than just applaud the positives, Deans said: ''Clearly, if you keep going back to that trough and you can't address the habit then, yes, there is only one other way of addressing it … and that is to remove those who are drinking from that trough.''
The Wallabies regroup in Sydney on Thursday to prepare for their third Tri Nations encounter - a second Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on August 22.
The first casualty of Cape Town is captain Stirling Mortlock - an MRI scan will determine whether he will take further part in the Tri Nations after injuring his left knee.
While initial X-rays showed no bone damage, Mortlock, who is on crutches, expects he will need an arthroscopy
''We think there is some meniscal damage or worse. We don't know. My gut tells me I will be needing a 'scope' or something to clean it up,'' he said.
Deans said that if Mortlock underwent an arthroscopy then it ''will potentially rule him out for the rest of the Tri Nations''.
While Deans continued to praise his side for their courage under fire, he was more preoccupied by the Wallabies' failings yesterday. Asked about the lineout issues and whether the problem was with the throw-ins, jumping or communication, Deans clearly pinpointed it as a mental issue, and praised the Springboks lineout - particularly their second-row pair of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha - for making best of the contest.
''We essentially froze and that's what pressure does to you,'' Deans said. ''We know they are a capable lineout, and they create doubts in your own mind, I guess, through their presence and their history of performance in that area. You've got the two best locks in the world and height in the back. That just adds a little bit of pressure. But the key is to master ourselves before we master our circumstance. [The problem] is still our own thinking. Until we master that we won't get the best opportunity of mastering our opponent.''
* The Wallabies have more to worry about after the recall of champion five eighth Dan Carter to the All Blacks squad.
Working his way back from Achilles tendon surgery, Carter missed New Zealand's series-opening win over Australia in Auckland and their subsequent two limp losses in South Africa.
The All Blacks will come together for a one-day training camp in Auckland on Wednesday before assembling in Sydney on Sunday to prepare for the Bledisloe Cup Test.
In South Africa, suspended loose forward Schalk Burger has been included in a 27-man squad for the away leg of the Tri Nations tournament.
Breakaway Burger is serving an eight-week ban for eye-gouging British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald a minute into the second Test last June.
His suspension ends before Tri Nations pacesetters South Africa confront Australia in Perth on August 29. The teams will clash again in Brisbane a week later.
With NZPA and AFP
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