Wallabies boss Deans still riled by Croker slip

HE may have made assertions to the contrary, but Robbie Deans, cutting somewhat of a bitter figure at times yesterday, is still smarting from Australia’s late slip against Ireland last November.

Deans, never the most effervescent of characters, kept his answers and observations on Ireland short and very much to the point.

Asked whether the 20-20 draw – when Brian O’Driscoll pounced for a late try at Croke Park – still left a bad taste, the Wallabies coach gave a tetchy response: “No it didn’t, no. Obviously it hurt. It felt like a loss.”