KEY POINTS:
Not everyone is thrilled with the idea of a Kiwi in charge of the Wallabies. Former Australian test representative and journalist Peter Fitzsimons is still against the appointment of Robbie Deans as coach but believes players, fans, administrators and media need to be pragmatic; to work through it;
and align themselves with some common goals.
And, while it may be unlikely, there could yet be more Kiwi flavours in the Wallaby set-up with Deans not ruling out the long-shot possibility of former All Black and current Western Force coach John Mitchell as an assistant.
Fitzsimons said yesterday: "It is humiliating our brains trust is so bankrupt we have to look offshore. It's like having an Australian coach of the All Blacks.
"I can't believe with the strict ARU protocol and with five candidates, they brought someone in from outside. But, in saying that, we now have to get in behind Robbie and support him."
Deans himself looked like a man with a burden lifted. He fronted media for the first time at the Australian Rugby Union offices in North Sydney.
It was a lively occasion where Deans outlined his vision on what he regularly referred to as the "progression" of Australian rugby towards regaining some major international trophies, culminating in a third Webb Ellis World Cup in 2011.
The 48-year-old says he didn't really know how he'd react to coaching in a country other than New Zealand until the other day.
"I was watching some footage of an All Blacks-Wallabies test and the emotion I experienced was just pure excitement about the role ahead."
He can understand those who have bandied about the notion of him being a "traitor" but says his move is a natural part of modern day rugby.
"It doesn't matter which role you are in you get flak, that's part of the territory. You never have unanimous support.
"I've been called many things in my time and will be called many in the future but I'm a professional coach. That is what I do."
Deans' integrity, perhaps combined with the desire of the NZRU to see the country's premier Super 14 side succeed, has seen him appointed to coach out the Crusaders' season regardless of any overlapping intellectual property.
Deans had a subtle dig at the 2007 reconditioning programme in response.
"I suspect from recent experience there's less likely to be intervention this coming year between the All Blacks selectors and Super 14 coaches. There's no conflict of interest. I conclude my duties with the Crusaders then start my duties with the Wallabies, simple as that."
"I come in without any historical baggage. The Australian franchises have under-achieved over time.
"I want my work to be inclusive to give those people involved a decent idea of what I do to raise the profile of the Australian game and hopefully the performance."
Understandably the appointment of support staff is not an issue that's been given a big airing as yet but Deans isn't ruling out the addition of Mitchell as an assistant, a role reversal of the coaching combination that saw the All Blacks win 22 tests, lose four and draw one between 2001 and 2003.
That's a decision for the New Year.
However, we'll have to wait until July 26 to get a truer appreciation of Deans' appointment when the Wallabies meet the All Blacks in Sydney. They meet the All Blacks in Auckland on August 2.
