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September 4, 2010

Posted on 09/04/2010

The time for excuses is over


Robbie Deans needs his eye on the ball in Bloemfontein this afternoon © Getty Images

Greg Growden believes Australia need to deliver against South Africa this afternoon, writing on Rugby Heaven.

"Since taking over in 2008, Robbie Deans has suffered a succession of horrendous episodes as part of the move from a provincial side attuned to success to one that struggles with the concept of victory. And this perplexing drop in standards has been revealed repeatedly when the Wallabies have wandered around South Africa. Deans learned early that the path to transforming the Wallabies into the national version of the Crusaders was lined with potholes. One week after their first win in South Africa in eight years by defeating the Springboks 27-15 in Durban, the Wallabies fell apart in Johannesburg, losing 53-8.

"Deans was told at the press conference that he had just been involved in Australian rugby's worst defeat. He was mortified. It took him a few seconds to compose himself before responding. He was in a similar state of despair last Sunday morning in Pretoria as he tried to comprehend how his team had let an opposition mow them down. As he sat in the foyer of the team hotel waiting for transport to take the Wallabies back to friendlier climes on the Durban coastline, Deans was furious. He could not comprehend how the Wallabies had lost what seemed to be the unloseable Test. Good teams don't get beaten after leading 21-7."

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