Robbie Deans: The Kiwi has signed a new deal to stay with Australia.

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans has signed a new two-year contract and will remain in charge of the Wallabies until the end of the 2013 international season.

There has been speculation for a number of months that Deans, who is in the final year of a four-year deal, would be offered fresh terms after the Australian Rugby Union board instructed chief executive John O’Neill to open negotiations with the former Crusaders boss.

The deal has now been finalised, ensuring Deans will have no distractions heading into the Rugby World Cup.

The announcement ends any hope the All Blacks had of poaching the New Zealander back across the Tasman Sea following the World Cup, which gets under way next month.

Deans was overlooked for the New Zealand job before moving to Australia and it was understood the New Zealand Rugby Union were keen to bring him back home if the All Blacks were to fail again at the tournament. But O’Neill was never going to let that happen.

Meanwhile, Wales boss Warren Gatland is braced to lose a third British and Irish Lions Test player for their World Cup opener against South Africa next month.

But while centre Gavin Henson and hooker Matthew Rees have disappeared from World Cup view because of injuries, Gatland is optimistic prop Gethin Jenkins will feature in New Zealand.

Jenkins, who has won 76 caps, underwent toe surgery seven months ago and was then laid low by a calf problem. He did not feature during last season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship and has not appeared in a Test match since Wales lost at home to New Zealand almost nine months ago.

The 30-year-old loosehead, though, could make Wales’ second World Cup pool game — a possible make-or-break appointment with Samoa in Hamilton. In addition to Henson (wrist) and Rees (neck), wing Morgan Stoddart suffered a broken leg against England 10 days ago, with Wales having one tournament warm-up match remaining at home to Argentina on Saturday.

Gatland will announce a 30-man World Cup squad next Monday, and while Jenkins is likely to be included, he is currently not available for selection.

“Unfortunately, Gethin’s calf is still not 100%, and that is a concern for us,” said Gatland. “We have had him re-scanned, and there is some damage in the calf.

“He is as frustrated as anyone. He has worked really hard, he just hasn’t been able to get himself right.”