New Zealander Robbie Deans has been appointed as the first non-Australian coach of the Wallabies.

The 48-year-old was interviewed for the job after failing to land the same role with the All Blacks last week.

Deans, who will continue to coach the Canterbury Crusaders in next year’s Super 14, has signed a four-year deal that ends after the 2011 World Cup.

“We see this as a new start for Australian rugby,” said Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath.

“In terms of our playing ranks, we are on the doorstep of generational change. We believe Robbie Deans is the man to move us into that new era.
“Robbie comes with a superb record and I am delighted to announce he will be joining the ARU. The ARU Board presented the selection panel with a brief to find the most outstanding candidate.

“We as a board consider this appointment satisfies that objective. The Australian public would expect nothing less from us.”

The former All Blacks full-back replaces John Connolly, who stepped down after Australia’s defeat by England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Deans was favourite to take the All Blacks job but the NZ Rugby Union opted to stick with Graham Henry despite his team’s World Cup failure.
 
Laurie Fisher, Alan Jones, Ewen McKenzie, John Muggleton and David Nucifora were also interviewed by the Australian selection panel.

Deans has built up an impressive coaching CV with the Crusaders, guiding them to four Super 12 and Super 14 titles, two other finals as well as a semi-final in eight seasons.

He was also an assistant to All Blacks coach John Mitchell from 2001-2003.

“In an ideal world, we would be able to retain all of our top coaches in this country,” said NZRU chief executive Chris Moller.

“But we have seen over a number of years that the depth and talent of coaching in this country means we can’t keep all of them coaching in New Zealand and still meet their aspirations for higher coaching opportunities.

“We believe it is only fair that he be given this opportunity, despite the obvious concern about losing one of our best coaches to another country’s national side.”

New Zealander Robbie Deans has been granted a late interview for the vacant Australia coaching job after failing to land the same role with the All Blacks. Deans missed out when the NZ Rugby Union opted to stick with Graham Henry despite his team’s World Cup failure.

Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath said the Canterbury Crusaders coach will be interviewed this week.

“This in no way derails or affects the timing of the process already underway,” said McGrath.

“If late in the day a coach with a record worth considering comes forward, then we should interview him and include him in the process along with the other candidates.

“The direction from the board to the selection panel was to find the best person and the ARU remains committed to that position.”

The panel has so far interviewed Laurie Fisher, Alan Jones, Ewen McKenzie, John Muggleton and David Nucifora.

Deans had been tipped as the favourite for the New Zealand position after the NZRU advertised the job after the All Blacks’ World Cup quarter-final loss to France.

The former All Blacks full-back has built up an impressive coaching CV with the Crusaders, guiding them to four Super titles, two other finals and a semi-final in eight seasons.

He was also an assistant All Blacks coach from 2001-2003.

World Cup-winning South Africa coach Jake White has inquired about the vacant coach’s job with Australia.

 
White, who did not reapply for his own position, has also been linked with Wales and possibly England, if Brian Ashton’s contract is not renewed.

Australian Rugby Union high performance manager Pat Howard said White’s agent Craig Livingstone has contacted him.

“I’ve outlined the process to him and that’s all that has happened,” said Howard, the former Leicester coach.

“I interviewed Jake White a year ago for the Leicester head coaching position and I appreciate that he will have a lot of decisions to make,” Howard added.

“I am more in the wait-and-see mentality at the moment. We’ve got a lot of good candidates that we are considering and I can only move forward on the guys we’ve got.”

John Connolly stepped down as Wallabies coach after their elimination by England in the World Cup quarter-finals.
 
The list of potential replacements includes Australian Super 14 coaches David Nucifora, Ewen McKenzie and Laurie Fisher, plus New Zealander Robbie Deans.

ARU chief executive officer John O’Neill last week said he would like an Australian to fill the role, though he was determined to “get the best person for the job.”

White spent Tuesday being hailed at a special sitting of the South African Parliament, as members of various parties made speeches congratulating the Springboks on their achievement.

White did not speak but waved to the packed national assembly and at the public gallery filled with supporters waving flags.

England centre Andy Farrell has been ruled out of the World Cup quarter-final against Australia in Marseille on Saturday. The 32-year-old former Great Britain rugby league captain injured his right calf muscle in training on Wednesday.

England will not name their replacement until Friday, with Olly Barkley or Dan Hipkiss likely to come in.

Bath star Barkley would be favourite to regain his place, having been dropped after England’s win over Samoa.

Farrell replaced Barkley after an hour in the 36-20 win against Tonga and went on to score his first try in an England shirt.

His physical presence and powerful kicking game earned him a starting place in the England midfield against the Wallabies.

The former Wigan rugby league idol has endured a frustrating time since switching codes in a move funded by Saracens and the Rugby Football Union in 2005.

He missed his entire first year in union because of injury and was briefly tried at flanker before being shunted to the centre position.

Stirling Mortlock has been passed fit to lead Australia in their World Cup quarter-final against England.

The centre missed Australia’s last two games with a dislocated shoulder but is back for the crunch clash in Marseille.

Australia have left the tournament’s leading try scorer, wing Drew Mitchell, on the bench and replaced him with the more powerful Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Otherwise, it is the same side that beat Wales 32-20 at the Millennium Stadium in the group stages.

Mortlock’s return was expected, but is still a welcome relief for coach John Connolly with wing Mark Gerrard and back-rower David Lyons already ruled out of the tournament.

Fly-half Stephen Larkham, who has a knee injury, and utility back Scott Staniforth (shoulder) are also unavailable for Saturday’s match.

It means, alongside Mitchell, Julian Huxley is the only other back on a replacements bench stacked with forwards - highlighting Australia’s intentions to try to match England’s massive pack.

“England are a very dangerous team,” said Connolly.

“Their set-piece has been the cornerstone for years, they have incredible speed out wide and Jonny Wilkinson steers them around exceptionally well.

“When you look at our results through the pool games, you’d have to say we’re pretty happy with where we’re at.

“But we’re very conscious that we have to improve considerably on that to go any further in the tournament.”

And Connolly also dismissed suggestions young fly-half Berrick Barnes, who is just 21, would be out-classed by Wilkinson in Marseille.

“He has the skills set and the mentality to be able to handle the pressure of the World Cup. We’re quite confident with him.”

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Australia: Chris Latham; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Berrick Barnes, George Gregan; Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning.
Replacements: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Hugh McMeniman, Stphen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, Julian Huxley, Drew Mitchell.