Crusaders coach Robbie Deans may face a ban from the New Zealand Rugby Union if he becomes the next Wallabies boss.
Canterbury boss may be axed from the rest of the 2008 season
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans is set to face a ban from the New Zealand Rugby Union if he is to succeed in his quest to become the next man in charge of the Wallabies.
Deans will meet in Sydney on Tuesday to be interviewed for the Wallabies post, and it is understood that the New Zealander will be banned from the 2008 Super 14 season if he is successful.
This news could cast some doubt into how desperate Deans is to land the job, with the Canterbury coach keen to see out the 2008 season at the AMI Stadium.
Deans yesterday pleaded with the NZRU not to be "vindictive".
"NZRU boss Steve Tew told the
Sydney Daily Telegraph: "We'd never be vindictive. We have enormous respect for Robbie.
"It is just an unusual set of circumstances concerning a fierce rival and the board will consider all things in coming to a decision."
Protection
The main concern for the NZRU is the high level of interaction between their Super 14 coaches and the All Blacks camp.
Tew wants New Zealand tactics to be protected, and this is something he and the board are looking at closely.
"Our general approach to managing players, preparing for games, video analysis, tactical areas. There is some intellectual property that would need to be considered," Tew said.
Deans told
NZ radio: "I would hope they wouldn't be vindictive. The work I will be doing with Crusaders will be finished before I start anywhere else anyway."
Former Wallabies captain John Eales has defended Deans and backed the New Zealander to become the next Australia coach due to his attractive and successful style of play.
"If you look at his coaching record he does stand out over all the other coaching candidates," Eales told
ABC radio.
"If somebody like that is available, it's hard to find a reason why you would not go for him."
