Wellington – Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has revealed he still hopes to coach his native New Zealand, saying his overseas experience would help him with the All Blacks.
Deans was in charge of Australia for almost six years before quitting in 2013 after a 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions and then taking up a role with Japan's Panasonic Wild Knights in May.
“There is no doubt I am better as a coach, and a person, and that stint I had with the Wallabies was fantastic,” the 55-year-old told Fairfax New Zealand.
“There is nothing like experience – it is like training and playing. I thought my apprenticeship was pretty well complete prior to taking on the Wallabies and every experience adds value, not only in knowledge but with your skill set too, you know.”
Deans was New Zealand assistant coach from 2001-03 and guided the Canterbury Crusaders to five Super Rugby titles between 1997
and 2008.
But he signed on with arch-rival Australia in 2007 after missing out on the top job at the All Blacks when the-then incumbent Graham Henry was reappointed.
He had a mixed record at the Wallabies with a 58 percent success rate – winning 43 Tests, losing 29 and drawing two.
The high point of his tenure was the 2011 Tri Nations triumph in the weeks before the World Cup in New Zealand.
But the Wallabies finished a disappointing third in that tournament and the Lions loss sealed his fate. – Sapa-AFP