Deans wary of Eden Park drought
Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:55
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans did not join the chorus of All Blacks critics as they prepare for the Tri-Nations opener but instead focused on his side's 23-year drought at Eden Park.
The All Blacks won 39-10 in 2008 to make it 10 consecutive trans-Tasman victories at Eden Park, since the Wallabies' last success in 1986, therefore Deans says they're being hurled "in the deep end" by opening the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks at Auckland's Eden Park on July 18.
"Clearly there's not a lot in it [between the sides] and the maths would support that as well," Deans told the NZPA.
"We go in the deep end there, so to speak, but that [win drought] will be a good focal point for us.
"We came up well short there last year and I would envisage the All Blacks will present themselves in exactly the same way."
While the All Blacks were hit hard with injuries to key men Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, Deans insisted the absence of his former Crusaders would not diminish the Wallabies' task.
"We've seen that in the past, it doesn't change the challenge at all," he said.
"It's disappointing to be honest, it would be great to be able to play the All Blacks with those blokes there. Players love to play the best
"Richie will return soon I'd imagine. And I'm sure we'll see Dan before the Tri-Nations is out as well. It'd be great for the rugby public," Deans said.
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