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Deans: un-beaten Wallaby coach

It is disappointing to hear that, but in New Zealand they just have so much expectation. Henry is under a lot of pressure to win back the New Zealand fans.

Mark Robinson
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Australia v N Zealand
Saturday July 26. 10.30am
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Former All Black Mark Robinson is concerned that the Robbie Deans factor could give Australia the edge over New Zealand.

Australia are yet to taste defeat under former Crusaders coach Deans who was the fans favourite to take over Graham Henry's job after New Zealand failed at the World Cup.

The NZRU decided to stick with Henry and his coaching team; however the Australians came knocking on 'Dingo' Deans' door.

"If there is one man who is going to know Dan Carter's game, that is Robbie Deans," said Robinson.

"It means that there is a lot of pressure on Carter to take that leadership role and to make the right decisions. He needs to control the game.

"The Australian defensive line are going to pressurise Carter as much as possible - if you break that down, then you take the game away from New Zealand."

A recent survey suggested that 52 per cent of New Zealand fans want Australia to win the first Bledisloe Cup game of 2008 as they are disenchanted with the current coaching team and believe that Deans should be the man in charge of the All Blacks.

Failure

"It goes back to the World Cup failure where we failed and there was so much expectation," explained Robinson who will be playing for London Wasps this season.

"It is disappointing to hear that, but in New Zealand they just have so much expectation. Henry is under a lot of pressure to win back the New Zealand fans.

"Never has a game gone before when the battle between the two coaches has been so prominent, and it is a very important game for both coaches."

The All Blacks were hoping to have inspirational captain and flanker Richie McCaw back; however he will not be rushed back so Daniel Braid packs down on the side of the scrum.

"McCaw is a massive blow but you cannot, especially at international level, rely on one man to lift the players and to inspire them," said Robinson.

"Braid is a scavenger of the ball and is a bit like McCaw. If he can get to the breakdown, cause havoc for the Australians and stop their quick ball then he is doing what McCaw does."

Australia have also lost their inspirational skipper Stirling Mortlock, but Robinson believes that his replacement Ryan Cross will make a big impact too.

"Cross is an ex-rugby league player in the same mould as Mortlock: he is very aggressive and very big, and will be a handful to stop."

Wide open

The Tri-Nations is wide open, however Robinson was impressed with Australia's win over World Champions South Africa last week and believes fly-half Matt Giteau is playing some superb rugby.

"They certainly put South Africa in their place after the Boks had beaten the All Blacks. I was very impressed with Matt Giteau and thought he dealt with the pressure very well. He controlled the game.

"I think Australia will try and play the game at a very quick pace," added Robinson.

"New Zealand have a very strong back-line, very quick and very aggressive, so they will want to take them on at pace and take the ball to the outside channels.

"They will try and get the ball behind Sitiveni Sivivatu and Giteau's game will be very important. Deans would have spent a lot of time on the defence, but I think Australia will want to play with ball in hand and at optimum force.

"Australia have to win three Tests against New Zealand to win the Bledisloe Cup back, that starts this week.

"They have to win to win to put the pressure back on New Zealand."