Deans’ relief as family safe after earthquake

WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans says his family have emerged unscathed but the tragedy of the earthquake in Christchurch is a hard blow for local people who were just getting over the trauma of last year’s tremor.

Deans, a former All Black who excelled as a player and coach with the Christchurch-based Canterbury Crusaders, said he felt helpless as he watched the unfolding coverage from Sydney.

While relieved to hear that his mother and sister had emerged unscathed from the 6.3-magnitude quake, Deans said the recovery would be a long and painful one.