Deans sets sights on the All Blacks job

NEW ZEALANDER Robbie Deans has effectively ruled himself out of the race to coach Australia by stating his intention to pursue the All Blacks job.

Deans, coach of Super 14 team the Canterbury Crusaders, met informally with Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chief John O’Neill during the World Cup. But he said yesterday he was interested mainly in working with his own national team.

“Essentially I am available, interested and keen to coach the All Blacks,” said Deans.

“They (the ARU) have got a process to go through as well, and if they’ve got timelines they may want to meet that’s the way it is.”

New Zealand are expected to replace Graham Henry as coach following the team’s World Cup quarter-final loss to France. South Africa’s World Cup-winning coach Jake White has been linked with the Wallabies post along with Australians David Nucifora, Ewen McKenzie, Laurie Fisher and Scott Johnson.

John Connolly stepped down as Australia coach following the World Cup quarter-final defeat to England this month.