Fisher loath to help out Deans - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Fisher loath to help out Deans

By Jim Morton 23/01/2008 06:39:13 PM Comments (0)

New Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' dual roles are complicating his plans to use rival Australian Super 14 coaches as quasi-Test selectors.

Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher is loath to agree to Deans' plan to consult him and his three fellow Australian Super 14 mentors to decide upon extended Wallabies squads.

The Christchurch-based Crusaders coach wants extra advice as he's duty bound by the New Zealand Rugby Union to complete his work with the Canterbury outfit before switching roles in late May.

But Fisher is worried about discussing the strengths and weaknesses of his players when such inside information could be used against them if they met the Crusaders in the Super 14 finals.

"In principle discussing players in depth as a Super 14 coach is a wonderful idea but while he's coaching a rival team it doesn't seem practical," he said.

"I'm not sure I can see the practicalities of discussing the pros and cons."

A surprised Fisher was also taken aback by the plans after only being alerted to them through an article in a Fairfax newspaper.

"It concerns me that I read about it in a national newspaper before it's been discussed (with the coaches)," he said.

But Queensland coach Phil Mooney, whose team meets the Crusaders in the penultimate round of the competition, has no such issues.

"I think Robbie Deans would have a pretty good handle on players' strengths and weaknesses already," he said.

"It works two ways. I can aid him with background on my players and he can give me his feelings, which I can pass on to make them better players."

It's understood Deans will have an all-Australian coaching team behind him with Europe-based duo Graham and Williams to join incumbent re-starts coach Michael Foley.

The Australian Rugby Union won't confirm or deny the appointments, which are expected to be announced early next month.

But it appears the Wallabies' World Cup quarter-final elimination by England will cost attack coach Scott Johnson and defence guru John Muggleton their jobs.

Muggleton said he and his fellow assistants were in the dark over their futures with the Wallabies and still held hope of being retained.

"Obviously defence wasn't a problem at the World Cup if you look at our results so that's got to go in our favour," he said, referring to just four tries being conceded in five games.

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