KEY POINTS:
Robbie Deans flew to Brisbane yesterday to face the five-man interview panel for the Wallabies' coaching job, complete with the backing of an Australian rugby legend.
Former Wallabies captain John Eales rated Deans the clear first choice for the job as Australians continue to warm to the prospect of a New Zealand coach.
"If you look at his coaching record he does stand out over all the other coaching candidates," Eales told ABC radio. "Robbie Deans stacks up against any coach anywhere in the world.
"If somebody like that is available, it's hard to find a reason why you would not go for him.
"It's hard not to be [a fan]. What he has done with the Crusaders over such a long period of time and the way he has turned over good players and brought very good players through and the success he has had makes him a very impressive candidate. "
Deans' interview was scheduled for last night in Brisbane, in front of the same panel who grilled the other five shortlisted candidates before the Crusaders supremo entered the race last weekend after Graham Henry beat him to the All Blacks job.
The panel will report to the ARU board which meets in Sydney tomorrow and Friday to decide who takes over from John Connolly.
Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath insisted on the same panel of Brett Robinson, Rod McCall, Michael Hawker, Mark Connors and Pat Howard. They interviewed David Nucifora, Alan Jones, Ewen McKenzie, Laurie Fisher and John Muggleton last month.
Deans was giving little away before flying out but admitted there would be some sort of backlash on both sides of the Tasman if he was appointed.
"That's the way it is. You never have total support, do you?" he said.
Eales said the Crusaders' positive style of rugby, which saw them win four Super 12 and 14 titles under Deans, was a big plus for his application.
Veteran Sydney Morning Herald journalist Phil Wilkins said Deans will be the best thing to happen to rugby in Australia since Carlos Spencer's cut-out pass to Stirling Mortlock's chest in the 2003 World Cup semifinal.
- NZPA
