Wright cleared to play in final

LEINSTER prop Stan Wright has been cleared to play in the Magners League final against Ospreys following a disciplinary hearing.

Wright was cited for an alleged punch on Munster’s Alan Quinlan in Saturday’s semi-final against Munster, which Leinster won 16-6.

However an IRFU disciplinary panel decided that although the citing was justified, a red-card punishment should not be applicable. No sanction was imposed, making Wright available to play in the May 29 final.

Munster’s Nick Williams was also cited following the match, for an alleged stamp on Leinster player Jonathan Sexton which the IRFU panel also adjudicated on yesterday.

As in Wright’s case, the panel agreed the citing was justified but decided to take no further action. Meanwhile, Australia coach Robbie Deans has moved to quell growing speculation he will return to his homeland to coach New Zealand at the conclusion of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Deans, who was controversially overlooked for the All Blacks post in late 2007, still has 18 months to run on his contract with the Australian Rugby Union after signing on as the first foreign coach of the Wallabies in 2008.

Speaking in Sydney yesterday, the five-Test All Black rubbished suggestions his next career move is already a done deal and refused to rule out staying on with the Wallabies beyond next season.

“I’ve always lived life day to day, year to year and campaign to campaign and that’s the only way you can approach it,” Deans said.

“You just don’t know what’s around the corner. The key is to make the most of what you do in the moment and in the minute and worry about the rest later.”

Asked if he had ruled out staying on with the Wallabies after the World Cup, he fired: “Oh hell no. But it’s not relevant. The only thing that’s relevant is what we do and I hope we perform to the extent where that becomes an option.”

Of more pressing concern for Deans is the task of selecting his initial 40-man squad to face Fiji, England (twice) and Ireland in next month’s inbound Test series.

And while the coach revealed as many as 15 players are currently unavailable through injury, he admits the much-improved performances at Super 14 level this season leaves him spoilt for choice.