Gatland empathises with Deans

Jul 7, 2013 - 9:14 PM Victorious British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland feels for his vanquished countryman after seemingly ending Robbie Deans' five-year Wallabies reign.

Deans is tipped to be axed as Wallabies coach this week, with Queensland Reds boss Ewen McKenzie or Brumbies mentor Jake White in line to take over before the start of the Rugby Championship next month.

A hugely relieved Gatland spoke of the agony and ecstasy of Test-match rugby - "there's no in between" - in the immediate aftermath of the Lions' series-deciding 41-16 rout of the Wallabies on Saturday night before expressing empathy for Deans' plight.

"I've got a huge amount of respect for what Robbie's achieved in rugby," he said.

"I know it's been really tough for him being here. There's a lot of people split about whether he should carry on the job. There's been a lot of criticism.

"It's tough to have a Kiwi involved coaching an Australian side. I admire him for what he's achieved in rugby.

"We often sit down after games and have a chat and a beer together.

"We had a brief chat last night. He said he might get to see us in November but that depends on what happens in the next few weeks.

"I do feel for him and want to wish him all the best. I hope it works out for him."

It appears unlikely it will work out for Deans with the Wallabies, though.

Even before their 25-point weekend hammering, the Australian Rugby Union sounded out the Reds and Brumbies about the prospect of McKenzie or White replacing the embattled Test coach.

Deans could see the writing on the wall after the Lions ran in three second-half tries to seemingly seal his fate.

While Deans is set for the chop, the fine line between success and failure that Gatland was talking about now has him favoured to be the next All Blacks coach, a position Deans was fancied to win after the 2007 World Cup.

But that apparently won't be any time soon, with Gatland committed to coaching Wales at the 2015 World Cup.

"I'm excited about what Wales can achieve with the group of players we've got and the talent we've got," he said.

Lions manager Andy Irvine interjected with a firm "no" when Gatland was asked if he could envisage coaching the All Blacks on the Lions' next tour - to New Zealand in 2017.

And when pushed about his plans post-2015, Gatland coyly said: "I may just hang up the boots go to the beach and sit down with a red wine and a cigar".

Source: AAP