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After having his appointment criticised this week, new Wallabies coach Robbie Deans received plenty of support from the men he beat to the job.
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie only days ago called for a local to be appointed but yesterday welcomed the arrival of the New Zealander.
He
was joined in praise by Brumbies counterpart Laurie Fisher, who claimed the Wallabies' first foreign coach would provide a different dimension to rugby in Australia.
"I think it's a great appointment, he's got a wonderful coaching record, and I think he will bring something different to rugby union in Australia," said Fisher, one of five Australians shortlisted for the post.
"I think there's a lot of similarity among Australian coaches and I think it will potentially bring something different and it might spark a point of difference for us.
"It had to happen some time [appointing a foreign coach]. New Zealand are the most successful rugby nation in the history of rugby so they obviously do a lot of things right."
McKenzie last week questioned whether the Australian Rugby Union's long-winded selection process had been a meaningless "waste of time" with Deans' appointment appearing a formality after he was overlooked for the All Blacks job.
Yesterday, McKenzie said he had the greatest respect for Deans and looked forward to working with the coach who guided the Crusaders to four Super rugby titles.
"He's got a great Super rugby record and Australia can learn a lot from his New Zealand background." .
David Nucifora, the leading contender before Deans came back in the frame, did not wish to comment, with a spokesman for the Blues saying the Super 14 coach would address a press conference in Auckland today.
World Cup-winning skipper John Eales said the ARU's decision was an exciting move for Australian rugby.
"I think it's definitely a new step and a new direction for us," Eales said.
"From a players' perspective it's a pretty exciting move, he's a guy that's achieved a lot.
"He's obviously a very good coach and had good success and will do a very good job."
The Australian Rugby Union announced Deans' appointment in Sydney, just moments before the New Zealand Rugby Union said he could continue to guide the Crusaders in the 2008 Super 14 competition.
A Crusaders spokesman said Deans would not comment on his promotion to the Wallabies job until he fronted an ARU press conference in Sydney today.
The ARU said Deans, 48, had signed a contract until the end of the 2011 season - taking in the next World Cup to be staged in New Zealand - marking the first time a foreign coach will been in charge of the Wallabies.
Chief executive Chris Moller said the NZRU board agreed on Wednesday to allow Deans to remain with the Crusaders should he be appointed Wallabies coach.
Moller said this decision was reached "subject to a number of protocols being agreed and the resolution of contractual terms".
"We will work through a process with the Crusaders and with Robbie and his management to ensure those protocols, which are intended to protect the interests of New Zealand rugby, are understood and agreed."
Crusaders chairman Murray Ellis said the Crusaders were pleased with the outcome, which "is the result of a lot of hard work from all parties to reach an understanding that works for everyone".
Moller said although it was disappointing to lose a coach of Deans' calibre to another country, the NZRU understood his desire to coach at the international level.
"In an ideal world, we would be able to retain all of our top coaches in this country," he said.
But "the depth and talent of coaching in this country means we can't keep all of them coaching in New Zealand and still meet their aspirations for higher coaching opportunities".
- NZPA
