News
Harrison sings Deans' praises
September 30 2008
Former Wallabies star Justin Harrison insisted the positive attitude of new coach Robbie Deans was the driving force putting Australia back on track.
The Bath lock also endorsed the way Deans has blooded youngsters to replace experienced veterans - warning the northern hemisphere sides that it gave Australia the upper hand going into November's internationals.
Harrison, 34, called New Zealander Deans absolutely the right man for the job, saying exclusively picking Australian coaches had held the Wallabies back in the past.
"We've got a good sense of direction now. We treaded water for a while under (former Australia coach) John Connolly and there was a bit of misdirection and a transition phase," Harrison told AFP.
"We have a lot of young guys coming into the squad now and they performed really well in the Tri-Nations campaign.
"They did well domestically but the challenge is about touring with rugby," he added, looking forward to the forthcoming Tests in Europe.
Australia face Italy, England, France and Wales in November before a final match against the Barbarians on December 3 in London.
Former Crusaders boss Deans has four uncapped players in his squad, following on from the eight who made their debuts earlier in the year.
The 49-year-old became the Wallabies' first foreign coach on June 2 - a move backed to the hilt by Harrison.
"The best man gets the job," the former Ulster forward said.
"It's probably what's held us back in previous years. We've had appointments because of nationality and some sort of political motive rather than qualification or ability.
"It's absolutely the right decision and you can see that coming though now in the style of play. We're competing with the top nations probably earlier than everyone expected given the youth of our squad."
Harrison, speaking at the annual expats' Toast Australia food, music and sport festival in London, said the Wallabies had coped well so far with the recent departure of team stalwarts, but the European tour would prove whether the new crop were up to the standard.
"Australia lost a lot of players - Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young - there's more than 350 caps leaving," he said.
"So it was important for them to be able to discover players that were able to lead and play in high pressure games.
"They've managed to do that to date but there's no better cauldron than northern hemisphere touring, because all of your comfort zones are taken away.
"Blooding young players is what this tour will be good for and Deans has picked some new rookies. That will be good for us because now is the time to start building towards the 2011 World Cup.
"Robbie Deans has got a very astute rugby tactical mind as well as a good affinity with the players.
"In passing comments with the fellows that I'm still in touch with, I hear he's a man that talks about positivity and makes sure that he concentrates on what players are good at, rather than harping on negatives.
"Tactically they'll have all the tools to take on the northern hemisphere."
Harrison said most international teams were still reconfiguring their sides following the 2007 World Cup, saying November 15 opponents England now had a similar squad profile to Australia in terms of age.
"The plus that we will have is that we have got a lot of players that have been exposed early in the Tri-Nations, huge marquee games - a lot of players over here in England haven't had that opportunity yet," he said.
"We will be in a strong position but you don't know until the day whether a player mentally is going to handle the pressure."