Robbie Deans has emerged as the odds on favourite to be the next Leinster head coach. But would the former Australian head coach be another Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt success at Leinster, or would they continue in the mire associated with the Gary Ella and Matt O'Connor eras at the province?
Here are the pros and cons of Leinster taking the bookies advice and hiring Robbie Deans as their next head coach.
Pros
Super Rugby Record
Robbie Deans' best time as a head coach was undoubtedly his time with Canterbury and the Crusaders in New Zealand in the Super Rugby and NPC tournaments. Deans first coaching job was with Canterbury in New Zealand's now defunct national tournament in 1997, leading them to their first title in fourteen years in his first season in charge.
Three years later, he graduated to head coach of the Crusaders Super Rugby team after Wayne Smith became the All Blacks coach. With the Crusaders, Deans became the most successful Super Rugby coach in history - winning five titles in his eight seasons in charge.
Australian Positives
Due to his success with the Crusaders, Deans was offered the chance to take control of the head coaching role with the Australian national team in 2008. Deans was the first, and so far only non-Australian to have ever coached the Wallabies.
He started off his reign with Australia well, winning his first five tests including big wins over New Zealand and later lead them to Australia's first away win over South Africa in eight years.
Deans then went on to lead Australia to their first Tri Nations title in ten years in 2011 in the highlight of his six years in charge.
Ability To Handle Talent
The common denominator in Deans' success has been his ability to manage the talented egos in his teams. The ability to get players like Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, David Pocock and Rocky Elsom to set aside their egos for Australia's Tri Nations success.
With players of the calibre of Ian Madigan, Johnny Sexton, Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip; Dean's track record suggests that he can get the best out of them should he become Leinster head coach
Cons
Australian Negatives
Not everything was full of roses for Deans in charge of Australia. It could be argued that he got the job at the right time, with players like Rocky Elsom, Matt Giteau and Digby Ioane at the peak of their careers, while exciting youngsters Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Quade Cooper and James O'Connor were coming through.
Deans did well to encorporate the youngsters into his squad, but where are they now? James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale are beset with off the field problems which is connected to the culture that Deans allowed in the Wallaby camp. That's the same culture that Quade Cooper described as "toxic" before going into a self-imposed exile until Deans left, while a huge bust-up with Matt Giteau lead to one of Australia's best players leaving the country.
Things were never right with Australia after their Tri Nations win in 2011. They lost to Ireland in that year's world cup as the World's second ranked team yet exited the tournament at the semi final stage.
Deans' results from there deteriorated. Australia dropped behind South Africa, and started shipping big losses to New Zealand and the Springboks losing 29-47, and 12-38 to both teams at home. That was before allowing the British & Irish Lions a series win for the first time in 16 years losing heavily in the final test.
That Australia's performances improved after Deans left speaks volumes, and some argue that the off-field issues that have beset Australia since are hangovers from Deans' era.
Player Quality
When Deans has had success, it's been with some quality players - Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Quade Cooper, David Pocock. One of the main problems with Leinster under Matt O'Connor was the lack of trust and contribution from the second stringers while the internationals were away. While Deans has proved his abilities with a strong team, he hasn't proven anything using squad rotation.
[interaction id="555f2d30481c375857bc6e8d"]
See Also: There's A Clear Front Runner Emerging For The Leinster Job
See Also: Barbarians Troll Leinster Fans With Exciting Announcement
See Also: Robbie Deans Out And Ewen McKenzie In As Australia Move Swiftly
