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163753
Thu, 02/24/2011 - 12:15
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Deans predicts best World Cup yet
(SYDNEY) Feb 24 - Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes this year's Rugby World Cup will be the best in the tournament's 24-year history and also provide the toughest challenge to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Looking to guide Australia to a third World Cup title, Deans on Thursday predicted the 2011 edition would produce the most attractive play and see more genuine contenders than usual.
The tournament kicks off in New Zealand on September 9 with the host nation the warm favourites to end an inexplicable drought since triumphing at the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1987.
Unlike many who feel the All Blacks could suffocate under the pressure of their fans, Deans believes the expectation and support of playing at home will help his compatriots.
"There's no coincidence the only World Cup New Zealand has won was in New Zealand," the former Crusaders mentor said.
"Right from the outset they talked about a stadium of four-and-a-half million (people) and that will be the reality so they will play out of their skins."
Traditionally just three or four nations head into each World Cup as genuine contenders but Deans hinted a handful of nations could rival the All Blacks for the grand prize through the way teams are developing through better application of the game's laws.
On a reconnaissance mission in Europe this month, Australia's coach was delighted to see the high quality and variety of rugby played in Six Nations matches.
He felt the 2011 spectacle would be a far cry from the drab, dour and defensive play of the 2007 tournament, won by a power-packed South African outfit.
"Teams will be able to choose an approach which suits them and they can apply what they've got to play a game that suits their strengths," Deans said. "I'm hopeful that this World Cup off the back of that will be a fantastic World Cup.
"Personally I think it will be the best yet, not only because of the rugby that will be played but ... also the fact that clearly thisyear any number of sides, that possibly in the past hasn't been the case, are capable of getting up and winning the whole tournament."
Deans declined to name the teams he felt were true contenders but England, France, Wales, Ireland and Argentina will all join the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks believing they can raise the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Australia enter this year ranked No.2 in the world behind New Zealand following a confidence-boosting 2010 spring tour which featured a Hong Kong upset of the All Blacks and a record rout of France.
While Deans' record stands as a modest 24 wins in 43 Tests after three seasons in the job, he believes his vibrant, young outfit is well placed.
"I'm very excited about where we're at to be honest," he said. "Obviously you always want more in terms of outcomes but in an ironic way some of the challenges you face, some of the lack of continuity for example in injuries and so forth, would prove to be to our benefit with exposing a wider group as a result.
"That will be evident with the performances of the Super Rugby sides and we'll run off that."
But Deans, to come off contract after the World Cup, would not comment about his post-tournament plans with New Zealand sure to be interested in luring him home if he breaks their hearts with the Wallabies.
"I'm just not thinking about that stuff really," he said.
Looking to guide Australia to a third World Cup title, Deans on Thursday predicted the 2011 edition would produce the most attractive play and see more genuine contenders than usual.
The tournament kicks off in New Zealand on September 9 with the host nation the warm favourites to end an inexplicable drought since triumphing at the inaugural World Cup on home soil in 1987.
Unlike many who feel the All Blacks could suffocate under the pressure of their fans, Deans believes the expectation and support of playing at home will help his compatriots.
"There's no coincidence the only World Cup New Zealand has won was in New Zealand," the former Crusaders mentor said.
"Right from the outset they talked about a stadium of four-and-a-half million (people) and that will be the reality so they will play out of their skins."
Traditionally just three or four nations head into each World Cup as genuine contenders but Deans hinted a handful of nations could rival the All Blacks for the grand prize through the way teams are developing through better application of the game's laws.
On a reconnaissance mission in Europe this month, Australia's coach was delighted to see the high quality and variety of rugby played in Six Nations matches.
He felt the 2011 spectacle would be a far cry from the drab, dour and defensive play of the 2007 tournament, won by a power-packed South African outfit.
"Teams will be able to choose an approach which suits them and they can apply what they've got to play a game that suits their strengths," Deans said. "I'm hopeful that this World Cup off the back of that will be a fantastic World Cup.
"Personally I think it will be the best yet, not only because of the rugby that will be played but ... also the fact that clearly thisyear any number of sides, that possibly in the past hasn't been the case, are capable of getting up and winning the whole tournament."
Deans declined to name the teams he felt were true contenders but England, France, Wales, Ireland and Argentina will all join the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks believing they can raise the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Australia enter this year ranked No.2 in the world behind New Zealand following a confidence-boosting 2010 spring tour which featured a Hong Kong upset of the All Blacks and a record rout of France.
While Deans' record stands as a modest 24 wins in 43 Tests after three seasons in the job, he believes his vibrant, young outfit is well placed.
"I'm very excited about where we're at to be honest," he said. "Obviously you always want more in terms of outcomes but in an ironic way some of the challenges you face, some of the lack of continuity for example in injuries and so forth, would prove to be to our benefit with exposing a wider group as a result.
"That will be evident with the performances of the Super Rugby sides and we'll run off that."
But Deans, to come off contract after the World Cup, would not comment about his post-tournament plans with New Zealand sure to be interested in luring him home if he breaks their hearts with the Wallabies.
"I'm just not thinking about that stuff really," he said.
