Seize the day, that's the Robbie way - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Seize the day, that's the Robbie way

By David Beniuk 26/07/2008 12:58:29 PM Comments (0)

With every budding rugby coach undoubtedly attempting to unlock Robbie Deans' secrets to success, the man himself says it's more about his players living for the moment than winning at all costs.

The Kiwi is attracting the sort of favourable attention that former Socceroos mentor Guus Hiddink did when he turned perennial heartbreakers Australia into a World Cup force in 2006.

Journalists, the rugby public and, most evidently, players have hung on every philosophical word since the supercoach arrived from across the Tasman.

And his message is: seize the day.

"We don't tend to look at it from an outcome perspective, but I know others do looking in," Deans said.

"We tend to look at the game and the playing of the game and everything that is and it's about these guys enjoying what they do, dealing with challenges together, hopefully coping with those challenges and ultimately prevailing.

"They might get feedback which says they're doing well, they're doing better than expected.

"It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what's happening and what they're getting out of that experience."

Asked this week if he thought he was ahead of schedule with the Wallabies' development since taking over last month, Deans was equally philosophical.

"You always hope for the best but it doesn't pay to look ahead and to chase something," he said.

"You're better to live in the moment where you're at and that's what we do.

"We aspire, obviously we have an idea in mind to be where we want to get to, but you've got to live in the moment and respond to the moment because you're never perfect."

Deans' players have lined up to praise their new coach's ability to make training fun and free their attacking instincts.

Stand-in Wallabies skipper George Smith said there was a different feeling in the camp after the methodical styles of Eddie Jones and John Connolly.

"There's new ideas, new things coming into the fold so there is a different feeling," he said.

"The boys are responding really well to the way that Robbie Deans is presenting himself and coaching so that's definitely positive."

Even Deans' Bledisloe Cup opposite number and one time rival for the All Blacks coaching job Graham Henry has seen the changes in the Wallabies after a handful of Tests under his compatriot.

"I think they've played pretty well," he said.

"They're playing differently and that's to be expected."

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