Deans tells Beale, Horne to bide time - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Deans tells Beale, Horne to bide time

By Darren Walton 01/06/2008 08:41:44 PM Comments (0)

Robbie Deans says it is inevitable that Rob Horne and Kurtley Beale will play for the Wallabies one day, but the two young guns will have to wait after being omitted from the 30-man squad for Australia's Tests this month against Ireland and France.

Despite impressing Deans first hand with their skill and poise in Saturday night's Super 14 final in Christchurch, the NSW Waratahs pair have been overlooked for both the Wallabies and the 26-strong Australia A squad being named on Monday.

Accepting there would be conjecture over their non-selection, Deans personally explained to Horne and Beale why they had missed out.

The wily New Zealander - the first foreign coach of the Wallabies - said he preferred to send the exciting youngsters to Wales with the Australian under-20 team for this month's junior world championship, believing the chance to dominate on the international stage would be better for their development.

"It's a World Cup cauldron, so it's a great development opportunity," Deans said after his Crusaders once again denied the Waratahs their maiden Super rugby title with a hard-earned 20-12 victory at AMI Stadium.

"They'll be leaders within the team, so it's just a superb opportunity for them.

"Hopefully they go over there and thrive and win it and come back and we'll push on."

But while the classy Horne may well do just that, Deans' plans for Beale were scuppered when the Waratahs five-eighth was ruled out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.

The 19-year-old returned to Sydney with his right leg in a cast boot, but Deans will no doubt hope he makes a speedy recovery as both Horne and Beale were expected to come into Wallabies consideration for the Tri Nations series and the end-of-season tour of Europe.

"You've seen them play. They're going great guns," Deans said.

"I mean, there's nothing in concrete obviously. But (although) they're not being considered in this instance, they will be down the track, when they return."

Deans also wants to protect Australia's brightest young talent, including eight other under-20 Super 14 players, from burnout.

"They're exciting talent, so they're on the radar. Clearly, a lot of them are going to be Wallabies," he said.

"It's just a matter of when the time's right and what's in the best interests of them and us."

NSW captain Phil Waugh, a candidate to be Deans's Wallabies leader, said the progression of Horne, whom he predicted could be anything, and Beale had been one of the highlights of the Waratahs' season.

"Those two guys have really impressed me," he said.

"I've spoken a number of times about Kurtley and how much he's improved and the change in his demeanour and the whole maturity of the guy.

"And Rob Horne is special. He's going to be really good. I think his first year and he's only 18, there's two really exciting prospects there."

Deans said he had no regrets about turning his back on New Zealand rugby and was relishing the prospect of the Wallabies upstaging the All Blacks in the 2011 World Cup in his homeland.

"They (the All Blacks) have got a great opportunity in front of them now," he said.

"You know, you've got a World Cup coming in New Zealand. It's a huge opportunity to showcase New Zealand and I really hope they do that well.

"I see my part, the piece of the puzzle, being to ensure that it's not a one-horse race and make sure the event itself is competitive."

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