Deans backs Cheika for Wallabies' hotseat

Ex-All Blacks, Wallabies and Crusaders rugby coach Robbie Deans, in Auckland to promote his biography by Matt McILraith "Red, Black and Gold. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Robbie Deans has backed Waratahs coach Michael Cheika to be the best option for the Wallabies' hotseat, saying today he has the singlemindedness required to bind a disparate squad together and even win next year's World Cup.

Former Australia coach Deans, speaking only days after his successor Ewen McKenzie resigned as Australia coach following the fallout from the Kurtley Beale text scandal, said Cheika, a hard-nosed former No8, might have to change his ways slightly, but he had the ability to handle what appears to be one of the toughest jobs in rugby.

In Auckland to promote his book Red, Black and Gold, Deans said of Cheika, who has been in talks with Australian Rugby Union after leading the Waratahs to their first Super Rugby title: "He doesn't get distracted by politics and I think that will be an asset. He might have to adapt some of his off-field antics..."

Asked if Cheika would have to watch his back due to all of the politics which seem to swirl about Australian rugby, Deans said: "That won't worry him. That's the nature of the beast. He's a self-made man. To that end he does it for the right reasons and he won't allow those distractions and detractors to get in his way."

Cheika found himself in hot water several times this season for smashing a window in a coaches' box after a match, and allegedly verbally abusing a cameraman in South Africa.

But former Crusaders coach Deans added: "Cheiks is very much an ambush merchant because his flame burns hot so he'll get a lift out of the group, he'll get a response, and that's the nature of World Cup rugby. It's a one-off event. If they get through their pool effectively, they're very well positioned."

Deans, who said he was saddened by the plight of Australian rugby, said he would be interested to see what sort of deal Cheika can negotiate with the Australian union.

Deans, now coaching Panasonic in Japan, was awarded the job in 2008 but was not allowed to choose his own assistants. He was effectively sacked last year following the series loss to the British and Irish Lions for McKenzie, who was allowed to select his own.

"That's going to be fascinating," Deans said. "You've gone from a situation in which in many ways my hands were tied behind my back to where they gave carte blanche to Ewen. So where they go now will be interesting. Cheiks is a bloke who will want the full reins and probably [there is a] predicament which suggests that he'll get them."

Asked if it was difficult not having full control, he said: "Clearly. When you can't make all your own decisions, you're not living spontaneously. It's like having an anchor you've got to pull."