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Deans faces Super 14 ban
By Iain Payten
December 11, 2007
THE New Zealand Rugby Union is threatening to blackban Robbie Deans from Super 14 if he defects to the Australia - citing protection of the All Blacks' "intellectual property".
Deans is expected in Sydney today to be interviewed for the vacant Wallabies job.
And the NZRU board will meet on Wednesday to discuss his future and that of fellow candidate David Nucifora should either get the Australian job.
But in a piece of brinkmanship, the NZRU will not reveal its decision until after the ARU board meets on Thursday to finalise the Wallabies' new coach.
This could leave some doubt in the mind of All Blacks reject Deans, who is keen to see out the 2008 season with Canterbury - having already led them to a record four Super rugby titles.
Deans pleaded with the NZRU not to be "vindictive".
But NZRU boss Steve Tew said: "We'd never be vindictive. We have enormous respect for Robbie. It is just an unusual set of circumstances concerning a fierce rival and the board will consider all things in coming to a decision."
New Zealand officials are worried about the high level of interaction between their Super 14 coaches and the All Blacks camp.
Tactics are shared and players are often moved for the good of the All Blacks.
But should Deans or Nucifora, who coaches Auckland, become Wallabies coach, they would be in enemy camp a few weeks after the Super 14 season ends.
Tew said the need to protect New Zealand secrets would be a consideration for the board.
"Our general approach to managing players, preparing for games, video analysis, tactical areas. There is some intellectual property that would need to be considered," Tew said.
Deans told NZ radio: "I would hope they wouldn't be vindictive. The work I will be doing with Crusaders will be finished before I start anywhere else anyway. It would continue to be of benefit to New Zealand."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22903023-23217,00.html
By Iain Payten
December 11, 2007
THE New Zealand Rugby Union is threatening to blackban Robbie Deans from Super 14 if he defects to the Australia - citing protection of the All Blacks' "intellectual property".
Deans is expected in Sydney today to be interviewed for the vacant Wallabies job.
And the NZRU board will meet on Wednesday to discuss his future and that of fellow candidate David Nucifora should either get the Australian job.
But in a piece of brinkmanship, the NZRU will not reveal its decision until after the ARU board meets on Thursday to finalise the Wallabies' new coach.
This could leave some doubt in the mind of All Blacks reject Deans, who is keen to see out the 2008 season with Canterbury - having already led them to a record four Super rugby titles.
Deans pleaded with the NZRU not to be "vindictive".
But NZRU boss Steve Tew said: "We'd never be vindictive. We have enormous respect for Robbie. It is just an unusual set of circumstances concerning a fierce rival and the board will consider all things in coming to a decision."
New Zealand officials are worried about the high level of interaction between their Super 14 coaches and the All Blacks camp.
Tactics are shared and players are often moved for the good of the All Blacks.
But should Deans or Nucifora, who coaches Auckland, become Wallabies coach, they would be in enemy camp a few weeks after the Super 14 season ends.
Tew said the need to protect New Zealand secrets would be a consideration for the board.
"Our general approach to managing players, preparing for games, video analysis, tactical areas. There is some intellectual property that would need to be considered," Tew said.
Deans told NZ radio: "I would hope they wouldn't be vindictive. The work I will be doing with Crusaders will be finished before I start anywhere else anyway. It would continue to be of benefit to New Zealand."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22903023-23217,00.html
