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SYDNEY - Australian rugby great Mark Ella has given Robbie Deans his backing as the next Wallabies coach.
Ella said former All Black Deans, who has re-signed to coach the Crusaders in next year's Super 14, was clearly the best candidate and he had no problems with a New Zealander taking the top job in 2008.
"I played against Robbie and I am a fan of the way the Crusaders play their rugby," Ella told Brisbane's Courier Mail newspaper.
"We need a change in culture. Possibly someone coming in from the outside can give us that."
Deans has been a regular in Australian headlines in recent weeks, widely reported as the Australian Rugby Union's (ARU) top choice to succeed John Connolly next season.
Ella said Deans had better credentials than other leading contenders, the Brumbies' Laurie Fisher, the Waratahs' Ewen McKenzie and the Blues' David Nucifora.
"If I thought we had a stand-out Australian as Wallaby coach I would advocate him. But we have options but I don't think they are on a par with Deans.
"The Crusaders have always played attacking style rugby. They never die wondering. They give everything whether they win or lose by their adventure.
"Australian coaches are too conservative. We need someone to break that conservatism."
Ella's stance differed from former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones who this week said he would be annoyed if someone from outside Australia was appointed.
"Sitting in the dressing room shed with five minutes to go before a test with a Kiwi coach doing the rev-up ... I don't think so," Farr-Jones said.
"I am very nervous about this as a possible direction. It just wouldn't be Australian.
"ARU chief executive John O'Neill has repeatedly said Deans was a standout candidate but denied this week he was a "shoo-in" for the job.
Deans' possible appointment would also depend on whether he was offered the All Blacks' job next year.
- NZPA
