Bledisloe losing streak dogs Robbie Deans

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ROBBIE DEANS: Under pressure to snap seven-match losing streak against the All Blacks.

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One of the enduring images from last year's Bledisloe Cup tests was that of a seething Robbie Deans lingering in the Wallabies coaches' box in Wellington.

Having witnessed his players' resolve melt away in the final minutes of the 33-6 defeat on September 19, a brooding Deans could only sit and watch as All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his players celebrated their 3-0 Bledisloe Cup series sweep on the Westpac Stadium turf.

Worse was to follow, with the Wallabies losing to the All Blacks 32-19 in Tokyo the following month, but it was that disintegration in Wellington that infuriated their coach, who then gave his men a public tongue-lashing.

Now Deans is under pressure again as he aims to avoid the unenviable record of being in charge of a Wallabies side that has had their worst-ever losing streak against the All Blacks.

Having lost their last seven matches to the New Zealanders, the Aussies must win tonight at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium. Defeat, followed by another in Christchurch next week, will result in them equalling the record nine losses clocked-up between 1936 and 1947.

Surely, not even in his most vivid nightmares, would have former Crusaders coach Deans imagined such a precarious scenario when he shifted to Australia in 2008.

After a hot start, in which they thumped the All Blacks, the Wallabies have lurched from defeat to defeat. Now they face a New Zealand side rejuvenated under the new rule interpretations and intoxicated with confidence following their two Tri-Nations bonus-point wins over the Springboks.

Asked how motivated he was to snap this losing streak, he responded: "I don't think you can be any more [driven] to win a test than I am in every instance, to be honest. That's what test matches are, on the day. You get one crack, you walk away and you have to live with the outcome."

Having played under Deans at the Crusaders, All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has insights on how his former coach operates.

"They will be confident after what happened last weekend that they can go out and put a performance together," McCaw maintained. "Anything that has happened in the past means nothing when the whistle goes."

Unlike the Springboks, who stubbornly stuck to their game plan of kick, hope and chase, the Wallabies will keep the ball alive and manipulate the defence.

Although the return of loosehead prop Benn Robinson has improved the Aussie set piece, the All Blacks will repeatedly attack their scrum and the imperious McCaw will provide the Wallabies numerous headaches at the breakdown.

Deans hinted there will be some strong words with referee Craig Joubert ahead of kickoff. "The breakdown they have flooded and got the benefit of the doubt at times so I imagine they will look to do that if presented with the opportunity."

Out wide Deans has again gambled on the talents of James O'Connor, 20, giving him just his second start on the wing where he will mark Joe Rokocoko. Centre Rob Horne will start his first test against the All Blacks.

- © Fairfax NZ News