Sports Immigrant? Welcome to the ARU’s latest acquisition!

Introducing the latest NZ immigrant to Australia – and he isn’t even applying for the dole!

In an almost unheard of positive move by the ARU, Robbie Deans is officially crossing the Tasman and is the new (and first foreign) coach of the Wallabies. Deans has signed a contract that takes him through the 2011 RWC in New Zealand and ushers in a new era in Australian rugby.

5 things I like about this move.
1) The Wallabies are now coached by the most successful provincial coach of the past decade.
2) He’s a hands-on coach who gets out the paddock and runs his own show.
3) He signed a contract that takes him through the RWC. With Graham Henry’s contract only being until the end of 2009 there was always the danger that Deans would hedge his bets and see if he could slide in the back door to the All Blacks (hang on, that sounds like something that Murray Mexted might do…) In signing for 4 years Deans has made a strong commitment to Australian rugby and signaled his intent to finish what he started.
4) Most Kiwis will tell you that this is the man who should be coaching the All Blacks. Despite their flaws (and don’t get me started on how many of them there are), Kiwis know their rugby and can identify talent. Deans is the one that got away for NZ rugby.
5) RWC in the Shaky Isles in 2011. Imagine what will happen if the Wallabies can bring Bill home lead by a Kiwi. It makes George Gregan’s “4 more years” sledge pale by comparison!

Nice work by the ARU – and we don’t get to say that too often!

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