Robbie Deans: the rural boy with a razor rugby brain

Robbie Deans, pictured with Kevin Senio, has earned praise for his pragmatic choices. Picture / Simon Baker

When Robbie Deans talks about his coaching regime at the Crusaders he makes it sound very uncomplicated. Were he reviewing himself, he would smile at that assessment.

How does Deans produce consistent excellence, what makes him tick and why - if it is so simple - aren't other coaches emulating his success?

"Only one can [rule the roost] at a time and someone else will," he says.

"But I don't want it to be on my watch."

Deans became Canterbury coach in 1997 before managing the Crusaders, then taking over as coach in 2000 and shooting today for the fourth title under that command.

Don't let the choirboy looks and self-effacing answers fool you. The 46-year-old former All Black fullback has a razor rugby brain and killer instincts needed at the top level.

He can be ruthless and generous; he has worked assiduously to understand players, he respects them and that attitude is returned.

Deans claims he graduated to coaching through circumstance at his Glenmark club when he got sick of the forwards hogging the ball.

As a senior player he wanted to broaden the team's skills and tactics in his quasi-coaching role.

"It was all about helping others achieve and that still holds today," says Deans as he ponders the Super 14 final against the Hurricanes.

Deans cherry-picked coaching ideas and skills from men such as Wayne Love, Bob Kerr, Don Hayes, Alex Wyllie and Doug Bruce - the latter pair the most influential in moulding his coaching CV.

"They taught me the first principle which is that the game should be easier than training," Deans says.

"I am strong on team, no individual is bigger than the group, and big on enjoyment too.

"There are so many people you learn from. Players keep you motivated so you have to learn to cater for their needs. They inspire you and you have to keep them interested."

The one glitch in Deans' coaching CV is his stint as John Mitchell's sidekick, ending in their dismissal after the 2003 World Cup.

A draw and four losses in 28 tests was not good enough for the NZRFU, who had grown tired of the pair's intransigent attitude. Deans steers clear of the topic but Mitchell is a strong advocate for his return to the international ranks.

"Robbie is the best coach in New Zealand and I strongly hold to the view," he says from his new base in Perth. "He is the best I have come across because of his delivery in all areas, his great knowledge of positions one to fifteen."

Mitchell uses a farming analogy to explain Deans' success.

"He is a rural man, from a farming background and he understands his cattle very well. He knows when they are going well, when they need a rest and some help and when they need to go to the works. That is the hard edge to him which he mixes with the solidity and respect he earned through his rugby background.

"Glenmark really shaped him. I think it was Todd Blackadder who said Robbie was a forward in a back's body."

Mitchell says selection, coaching and strategy meetings with Deans were extremely stimulating. He always looked at the total mix and chemistry of a team for a match.

This season, he tinkered with his pack to create more mobility for the high-velt challenge against the Bulls, alternated Kevin Senio and Andrew Ellis at halfback or used Caleb Ralph or Casey Laulala at centre.

The changes were subtle but significant and Deans was a master at selling his plans to his sides.

"He is very positive in his outlook, he deals with the now, he never gets ahead of himself," says Mitchell.

"He is very consistent, pragmatic and perseveres with the players in his selection and coaching techniques. He is a very sharp selector, he identifies what he needs and finds it and he has a great read on who is reliable. He is not interested in people who give him skills grief, players who are inaccurate and cannot change. Those he has belief in, he gives them time."

Mitchell says the Crusaders are blessed with extraordinary talent, players such as Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Chris Jack, Aaron Mauger and Leon MacDonald. But Deans also deserved credit for directing and delivering the rugby programme.

He had seen some dark times with Canterbury when the province went through a rough patch and had built strength from that adversity.

"I just loved his attitude and our ability to debate and challenge areas of concern or to get a positive solution for the team or individual," says Mitchell.

"Robbie is selfless, bloody consistent and has no double standards."

It was easy to see his influence on the Crusaders' kicking skills and width of the side's attack.

Deans acknowledges how much he enjoys developing the Crusaders' skills, initiating ideas and leading those programmes.

"It is all about helping them to harness their ability, to work out what we need. It does not all happen out there on the grass," he says.

"We also have to have a balance on the way through so we don't hit the wall. There is an adrenalin element which gets you through some matches but we also have to get out and do normal things."

For Deans that means watching his children's sport, playing squash or jetboating. He is also in heavy demand on the speaking circuit.

"But I still love all of it, it is great and this game will be a fantastic occasion for both teams.

"After that, for a while I can go and do some coaching without any accountability," he laughs.

But tonight there is the reward to be sought, one final push for the inaugural Super 14 trophy.

What is Mitchell's take on the conclusion to the expanded series?

"It will be ferocious at the breakdown, it will be the closest thing to test rugby. The Crusaders like momentum more than other teams and there is a lot more belief in the Hurricanes than they have had before," he says.

"The Crusaders will need to be patient, they will have to deny the Hurricanes access to things they get excited about.

"They need to get off their defensive line quickly to pressure David Holwell so the ball does not get to Nonu or Umaga in any space.

"It will be close, but I think theCrusaders will get home."

Crusaders 3 Hurricanes 0

It's a consensus. The Crusaders will prevail for a sixth time tonight, say the coaches of New Zealand's other three franchises.

Ian Foster (Chiefs)
Suspects home advantage and experience will help the Crusaders, nominating one key element: "The ability of the Crusaders to play territory, with Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger's kicking game. But it will be very physical, very tight."

David Nucifora (Blues)
Points to the importance of Crusaders and All Black captain Richie McCaw's role in the critical breakdown area. "It'll be a fairly interesting tussle at the breakdown. But McCaw is a slightly more productive player [than the Hurricanes loose forwards] there ... They've both proved very solid defences from set pieces, both have people who can do a lot of damage from turnovers, but I can see the Crusaders ending up with their noses in front."

Greg Cooper (Highlanders)
Sees one big point in the Crusaders' favour - the influence of Carter, Mauger and Leon MacDonald. There's not much between the forward packs but when in a jam one of those three invariably sorts it out. No 10, or first receiver, is the most important position. Carter is the best in the world, Mauger is very smart technically and MacDonald is equally adaptable and able to slot in at first receiver. The Hurricanes have quality players, their defence is strong and they've got a lot of line breakers. But the tactical understanding of those three should be enough."