Loss puts Deans on defensive
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans says he is not surprised by the storm of criticism leveled at his team after its 23-32 loss to Samoa on Sunday, saying his players share the fans' disappointment.
The Wallabies have been accused of arrogance and complacency in naming a weakened team for the first test of their international season, but New Zealander Deans insisted yesterday he had no choice but to rest his top players.
Asked if he was surprised by the heated reaction to his team's defeat - one of the most embarrassing in Australia's history - Deans replied, "Not at all. We expect it. That's been our reaction."
Top rugby writer Wayne Smith said in The Australian newspaper yesterday that the Wallabies' team selection smacked of arrogance.
"Who knows where along their three-year journey under Robbie Deans the Wallabies acquired such arrogance?" Smith said. "It is not as though they have ridden roughshod over their enemies.
"A record of 24 wins from 44 tests testifies to nothing more than passing competence."
Deans said he had no choice than to rest key players.
"The (Super 15 champions Queensland) Reds didn't come in until Monday night. They'd had an enormous campaign that finished ... (so) we then gave them a window to recover out of necessity and obviously chose a combination based on that fact."
The Wallabies have been accused of arrogance and complacency in naming a weakened team for the first test of their international season, but New Zealander Deans insisted yesterday he had no choice but to rest his top players.
Asked if he was surprised by the heated reaction to his team's defeat - one of the most embarrassing in Australia's history - Deans replied, "Not at all. We expect it. That's been our reaction."
Top rugby writer Wayne Smith said in The Australian newspaper yesterday that the Wallabies' team selection smacked of arrogance.
"Who knows where along their three-year journey under Robbie Deans the Wallabies acquired such arrogance?" Smith said. "It is not as though they have ridden roughshod over their enemies.
"A record of 24 wins from 44 tests testifies to nothing more than passing competence."
Deans said he had no choice than to rest key players.
"The (Super 15 champions Queensland) Reds didn't come in until Monday night. They'd had an enormous campaign that finished ... (so) we then gave them a window to recover out of necessity and obviously chose a combination based on that fact."
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