NEW Zealander Robbie Deans has been named as the new Australia rugby coach in an historic three-year appointment that breaks fresh ground for the Wallabies.
The Australian Rugby Union confirmed the news at a press conference in Sydney, making Deans the first overseas coach to take control of the Wallabies, as successor to John Connolly.
Deans beat fellow candidates Ewen McKenzie, David Nucifora, Laurie Fisher, Alan Jones and John Muggleton after a controversial late interview for the role.
The ARU refused to confirm Deans’s salary, saying it won’t reveal details of his package, but that he is being paid "appropriately" for a coach of an international rugby team.
The ARU said Deans, the coach of the successful Crusaders team, had been appointed until the end of the 2011 season, which will take in the next World Cup in New Zealand.
"Robbie comes with a superb record and I am delighted to announce he will be joining the ARU," ARU chairman Peter McGrath said.
"The ARU board presented the selection panel with a brief to find the most outstanding candidate.
"We as a board consider this appointment satisfies that objective.
"The Australian public would expect nothing less from us and we see this as a new start for Australian rugby.
"In terms of our playing ranks, we are on the doorstep of generational change. We believe Robbie Deans is the man to move us into that new era.
"He has created history today by becoming the first non-Australian to coach the Wallabies.
"We trust there are further historic achievements awaiting him and the Wallabies over the next four years on the road to the 2011 World Cup."
Having missing on the All Blacks’ coaching job to Graham Henry last week, Deans went after the Wallabies position earlier this week, a month after the official interviews had taken place.
Deans coached the Crusaders to four Super 12/14 provincial titles in seven years and is regarded as one of world rugby’s leading coaches.
The 48-year-old was an assistant coach to John Mitchell with the All Blacks between 2001 and 2003.
He played five Tests for the All Blacks at flyhalf between 1983-1985.
The appointment was welcomed by Fox Sports commentator, Greg Clark.
"I’m happy with it… I think he’ll fit in a lot better than any other nationality would have done. He certainly has the runs on the board, no one can argue with that. He’s got the credentials to coach a national team, given his unmatched performances in Super rugby.
The other thing is that this might well leave the NZRU with slightly red faces, which can’t be bad thing!"
AAP
Source: Deans handed Wallabies reins
