Robbie Deans has been given assurances that his job as Australia rugby coach is safe despite a run of disappointing results last year.
ARU board back coach after performance review
Robbie Deans has been given assurances that his job as Australia rugby coach is safe despite a run of disappointing results last year.
Under Deans' guidance, the Wallabies won only six of 14 Tests in 2009 leading some to question the New Zealander's position.
However, Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill has insisted that Deans will continue in his role until the 2011 World Cup at least.
O'Neill and the ARU board listened to a performance review of 2009 presented by Deans and ARU high performance manager David Nucifora and were satisfied by its findings.
"The board were very comfortable and confirmed Robbie in his position through to the World Cup in 2011," O'Neill explained afterwards.
He went on to confirm that there would be no changes to Deans' coaching set-up, although Nucifora will now assist coach Jim Williams in the lineout and breakdown areas.
Deans was appointed to the role of Wallabies coach in 2008 after a successful stint as coach of New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders in Super rugby and as an assistant coach with the All Blacks.
