Robbie Deans : Red, Black and Gold

Description

For fans of Rugby Union in Australia the appointment of a coach from NZ, Australia's biggest rival, was a shock. But with poor performances the order of the day for our national team something radical had to be done. Was it enough? An All Black, the pin-up boy of the Canterbury team of his generation and a rebel with the Cavaliers during a 12-year playing career, Robbie Deans was appointed as Australia's first foreign-born coach. What followed was career as one of the best coaches of the modern era. After 17 years coaching professionally, Robbie still boasts a 70 per cent success rate. He remains Super Rugby's most successful coach, six seasons after his departure from the Crusaders. Now he reveals the old-fashioned values that have underpinned his career and breaks the silence on his removal from the Wallabies coaching job, examining in depth five turbulent years where the systemic and cultural challenges off the field were every bit as daunting and unrelenting as was confronting the best team on the planet. But this is not simply a book by Robbie about Robbie. Featuring accounts by Wallaby David Pocock , All Black Dan Carter, players on both sides of the ditch, coaches, media commentators like Peter FitzSimons and administrators, Robbie Deans: Black, Red & Gold is a story told by those who know Robbie best.

Matt McIlraith is a former editor of the national rugby weekly Rugby News and the author of three previous titles including 10 Years of Super 12. McIlraith gained a unique insight into Robbie Deans and his methods during stints working alongside him as media manager for the All Blacks, the Crusaders and then the Wallabies. This has positioned him perfectly to help tell the story. Robbie Deans is currently coaching in Japan.