KEY POINTS:
Age: 48
International experience: All Blacks assistant 2001-03 (22 wins, one draw, four losses).
Super 14: Crusaders 2000-07 (four titles, runners-up twice).
NPC: Canterbury 1997-2000 (one title).
As a player: All Blacks fullback 1983-84 - five tests, 50 points. 14 games, 202 points. Canterbury fullback - 147 games, 1641 points.
PLAYING CAREER
Deans began his career with Canterbury in 1979 as a first five-eighth but moved to fullback when Wayne Smith was included in the side. Deans' last game for Canterbury was in 1990. He represented the side 146 times.
In 1980 Deans represented the New Zealand Colts and went on to play for the All Blacks in 1983 and 1984. He played 5 tests in the black jersey, scoring 50 points.
COACHING CAREER
Canterbury
Deans began coaching the provincial side in 1997 when he guided the team to NPC glory for the first time in 14 years. The side also went on to win the Ranfurly Shield in 2000 before Deans left the position to concentrate on coaching the Crusaders.
Super 14
The Crusaders under Deans have made the final six times, winning the title in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2006. He has coached the side for eight seasons now and last year led them to the semifinals, despite the team being plundered of its All Blacks in World Cup year.
All Blacks
Deans was assistant coach under John Mitchell between 2001 and 2003. While the team is remembered for not returning to New Zealand with the World Cup, the All Blacks did win the Tri-Nations twice and won the Bledisloe Cup after an absence of five years. The team's record included 22 wins, one draw and four losses.
