New Zealander Robbie Deans has been appointed as the first non-Australian coach of the Wallabies. The 48-year-old was interviewed for the job after failing to land the same role with the All Blacks last week. Deans was favourite to take the All Blacks job but the NZ Rugby Union opted to stick with Graham Henry despite his team’s World Cup failure.
Deans, who has guided the Crusaders to four Super 12 and Super 14 titles will continue to coach the Canterbury Crusaders in next year’s Super 14, has signed a four-year deal that ends after the 2011 World Cup. The former All Blacks full-back replaces John Connolly, who stepped down after Australia’s defeat by England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.