Robbie Deans has been sacked as Australia head coach following the Wallabies’ Test series defeat to the British and Irish Lions, according to reports in the Australian press.

That Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies both played wonderfully well in the thrashing of the Wallabies doesn’t completely justify Warren Gatland’s cruel dismissal of Brian O’Driscoll, but it surely saves him from having to do a heck of a lot of explaining in the days and years to come.

At last a game to savour, at least until the rain made handling conditions very difficult in the second half at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

Has it really been a year since Tony McGahan vacated the head coach’s role at Munster?

I’m especially good at expectorating, sings Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, and the hunter’s skill with a well-aimed spit is just one more indication that he’s the villain of the piece.

Under-pressure Australia coach Robbie Deans said something fascinating in the wake of his side’s shock loss to Scotland in Newcastle a fortnight ago.

AUSTRALIA crept into the World Cup semi-finals after James O’Connor landed a late penalty to send champions South Africa crashing out.

He’s gone from being the most reviled man in New Zealand to the most in-demand and back to the most pressurised. At 65, why does Graham Henry still do it, asks Murray Kidd.

AUSTRALIA’S five-point win over New Zealand in the Tri Nations decider has left Robbie Deans with a number of selection dilemmas to sort through before the World Cup.

Australia have made a disastrous start to their World Cup preparations after suffering a shock 32-23 loss to underdogs Samoa at ANZ Stadium.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has stressed the importance of tomorrow’s Test with France as the Wallabies look to end their European tour on a high note.

Munster 15 Australia 6

Australia coach Robbie Deans insists his men are taking nothing for granted as they prepare to meet injury-ravaged Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

ROBBIE DEANS has faced pressure before, but the vultures are circling after Saturday’s disaster in Melbourne.

Australian Rugby Union boss John O’Neill has confirmed he will meet with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans on Tuesday, but insists the New Zealander’s coaching future is not on the agenda.

OUT on their feet and with their trench in danger of being overrun at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, Ireland’s pack looked to the sidelines for the arrival of reinforcements.

JUVENILES as young as 14 are being caught by gardaí holding guns and drugs for gang bosses, a senior officer said yesterday.

Australia 21 South Africa 6

Robbie Deans is fully aware of the threat Ireland pose ahead of his debut as Australia coach at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne on Saturday.

ROBBIE DEANS has named seven uncapped players in his first Australia squad for the Test against Ireland on June 14.

WORLD Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones has backed Robbie Deans to succeed as coach of Australia — even though he finds it strange to see a New Zealander in charge of the Wallabies.

Former New Zealand international Robbie Deans has been appointed the new coach of Australia.

NEW Zealand media outlets suggest Robbie Deans will be appointed All Black coach next week and he is expected to approach Clermont boss Vern Cotter, whose side lost to Munster yesterday in Thomond Park, to become his assistant.