'Roo-bie' Deans fails his Matilda test

By GREER McDONALD & RICHARD KNOWLER - Fairfax Media | Thursday, 24 July 2008

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is yet to tie his Aussie lingo down, failing to recite the words of Waltzing Matilda during a live radio interview.

Sydney Radio talkback host Jason Morrison asked Deans to finish sentences to Australia's unofficial national anthem, after he heard that Deans had taught himself the official anthem.

Deans – who has attracted nicknames like "Roo-bie" and "Dingo" – became Australia's first non-Australian national rugby coach when he was appointed last year.

Morrison said in the interview: "Can you finish the sentence for me here; once a jolly swagman..."

The former Crusaders coach was silent and then replied: "Oh mate, now you're stretching me too far, singing has never been a priority of mine."

Morrison tried again. "You don't have to sing it, just say the words. Under the shade of a ... what?"

Deans faltered again and said he needed to do a "bit more homework ... good on ya, mate".

The correct lines were: Once a jolly swagman, camped by a billabong, under the shade of a coolibah tree.

Meanwhile, there will be no love-in meetings between Robbie Deans and the All Blacks before the Bledisloe Cup test.

Instead Deans will keep his distance from the New Zealanders when they fly into Sydney tonight to prepare for Saturday night's showdown.

"No, not pre-game," Deans said in reference to suggestions he might take time to chew the pre-match fat with the Kiwis.

"They are obviously a group. But the blokes I worked with I have a huge amount of respect for, and we will catch up post-match."

Deans has worked with many of the All Blacks players, management staff and coaches since making his first-class debut for Canterbury as a player in 1979.

He played alongside Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen for Canterbury before working with them at the Crusaders and also nurtured many of the All Blacks' players' careers.

However, he half-expects to attract some banter from the players, especially the likes of livewire lock Ali Williams.

"Who knows what they will have to say down the tunnel if we pump into each other beforehand. You never quite know. Ali I am sure will have something to say," he added with a laugh.

"You know respect is an important ingredient in this game and we as a team have a lot of respect for the All Blacks."

It would not be easy for Deans to listen to the New Zealand national anthem, said Hansen, who experienced such emotions himself while coaching Wales.