Rugby: Deans tells Wallabies to forget score

Robbie Deans. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Never mind the result, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans just wants his side to back up their Tri-Nations performance against South Africa with an even better showing against the All Blacks in Wellington on September 19.

The Wallabies finally gave Deans something to smile about when they toppled the Springboks 21-6 in Brisbane on Saturday night to record their first victory of the series.

But Deans says he now wants to see his charges back up their breakthrough performance against a hungry New Zealand side in the third Bledisloe Cup test.

And that doesn't necessarily mean coming out on top on the scoreboard.

"They've taken a step [up] in the way they've been playing, if we revert there's nothing gained essentially - and that's more about the way we're playing than win, loss," Deans said yesterday. "If we do maintain that momentum, then it's going to make it a lot harder for the All Blacks to achieve an outcome which they'll want.

"We're not hung up on the outcome, we are hung up on backing up with a decent performance. And if that achieves the outcome, then well and good."

Deans praised his side's growing belief in themselves and pointed to a steely determination displayed by the Wallabies after they had three tries disallowed against the world champions.

While Deans gave new halfback Will Genia and flanker David Pocock praise for their impressive run-on debut performances, he was equally impressed with other fresh faces within the group when faced with repeated disappointment.

"The blokes who probably pushed on, who aren't that experienced at this level, took a step in terms of belief," Deans said.

"Getting over three times and being denied three times, particularly for a young group ... it would have been easy for that group to have dipped their heads and thought, well, it's not their day.

"But they wanted more than that - so that hasn't been there before - and we want it to stay."

He credited the Wallabies' victory to their ability to push the Springboks out of their comfort zone.

Deans said it would be a different task when they take on the All Blacks. "It's a week-to-week proposition, the All Blacks will have observed and they'll come up with some ideas of their own," Deans said.

"The good thing is the players stayed connected to the game, they were prepared to carry the ball and carry it out of their own end, where as previously they just would have kicked, and not even looked and seen. "It's a step in the right direction. We're really pleased with that effort. Now we want to back it up."

Injured Wallabies Lachie Turner and Nathan Sharpe (both ribs) did not take part in training on Thursday but a decision is yet to be made on whether they will make the trip to Wellington.

- AAP