ELVs: It's advantage to Deans
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:12
Robbie Deans' knowledge of the new Experimental; Law Variations (ELVs), rather than his Crusaders connection, is furrowing the brow of All Blacks counterpart Graham Henry ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia.
Henry is sidestepping the hype around the Sydney clash which pits New Zealand's most successful coaches of the professional era in the first of a four-leg campaign this year for trans-Tasman supremacy, reports the NZ Herald website.
Repeated questions Tuesday about Crusaders icon Deans - the man who applied to take his job in the World Cup fallout - were batted aside by veteran press conference operator Henry, who could have played the same recorded answer every time.
Yes, he understands there is public interest but he has a job to do this week which doesn't involve personal agendas.
The most expressive Henry became was when assessing Deans' obvious grasp of the ELVs, which the Crusaders employed to excellent effect on their way to another Super 14 title in May.
Henry and assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith had no involvement with the Super 14 and Henry admitted they were still coming up to speed tactically with the laws.
The law related to player numbers in the line-out was proving especially difficult to adjust to.
"The three of us are learning about the game again under the ELVs," Henry said.
"So I think Robbie does have an advantage in that he has coached under the ELVs for 3-4 months."
He believed the Wallabies wouldn't stray far from the playing style that has seen them bounce back unbeaten from their World Cup quarterfinal loss to England, with four wins from four under Deans.
"The last time we played them in Australia we got beaten," Henry said.
"They were a top side last year, we found them difficult in both games we played them, and they're a top rugby side this year.
"There may be a change in emphasis in what they're doing. New coaches bring different ideas to the team but they've always had quality." Hansen said detailed analysis meant opposition coaches knew ample about their opponents anyway, diluting the benefit of Deans to Australia.
"Everyone's got an idea of where everyone is going to go. It's a matter of making sure you go there better than the other people do," Hansen said.
"Everyone wrote Australia off last week, they thought the South Africans would clobber them but they showed that they're a true top international side and I think they won that test pretty easy.
"We've got to turn up there with a great attitude, a huge amount of intensity and purpose. It's the norm for any big test match."
SAPA
