Ice-cool Robbie Deans feels the heat

DALLAS KILPONEN/Sydney Morning Herald

PRESSURE: Robbie Deans.

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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' window-thumping antics have not gone unnoticed.

While coaching in New Zealand Deans showed as much emotion as a weather-beaten garden gnome, but during the Wallabies' win over the Springboks in Brisbane last weekend his emotions erupted in full view of the rugby world.

Several times he reached forward to whack the Suncorp Stadium window in exasperation or jubilation, a measure of just how much he knew his Wallabies side needed to start their Tri-Nations campaign with a victory.

Since taking over the Wallabies, following his ultra-successful stint with the Crusaders, Deans has been able to convert only 19 of their 33 matches into victories, but it is his miserable record against the All Blacks that will annoy him most. In eight tests, he has beaten his rival, Graham Henry, just once.

There will be plenty more tension during Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup match.

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen, who was Deans' assistant with the Crusaders in 2000 and 2001, reckoned dealing with that sort of pressure would be a "double-edged sword" for the Wallabies.

The footage of Deans banging the Suncorp windows did not escape Hansen's attention.

"We saw how much pressure they are under via various TV clips, doing things they don't normally do," he said.

"So they are definitely under pressure, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing.

"Being uncomfortable takes you to places that sometimes you don't necessarily go if you are overly comfortable."

When Deans took over from John Connelly in 2008, the Australian Rugby Union hoped their highly decorated coach would win them back the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations title.

They are still waiting, although Hansen, despite not being a bosom buddy of his old coaching partner, defended Deans' coaching ability: "I don't think he will be squirming. He is a good coach."

- © Fairfax NZ News