Robbie Deans faces tough selection challenge prior to Scotland Test

ROBBIE Deans has sat at the selection table ahead of a World Cup semi-final, a Tri-Nations decider, and after 10 successive defeats to the All Blacks.

Robbie Deans

ROBBIE Deans has sat at the selection table ahead of a World Cup semi-final, a Tri-Nations decider, and after 10 successive defeats to the All Blacks.

But never has he been more perplexed than with the selection conundrum that presents itself before a seemingly innocuous mid-week Test against the world's 12th-ranked nation on June 5.

"The reality is, this is the toughest side I've had to select on my watch," Deans says.

The Wallabies coach, who was nevertheless relaxed and jovial chatting to The Daily Telegraph, faces an incredible test of his coaching nous because of an arduous mid-season international schedule.

Players will be auditioning for a Test jersey 72 hours before the Test, such is the minuscule turnaround from Super Rugby break to Test match against Scotland at Hunter Sports Ground in Newcastle.

Complicating matters is the significantly tougher match against Wales four days later, the first of three Tests against the Six Nations champions.

Deans had planned to name a Queensland/Western Force-based squad against Scotland, because those two teams have the bye before the Scotland Test.

But poor form and injuries have scuppered both that and plans to announce a Test squad on Monday week - and positions will be up for grabs right up to the local derby between Melbourne and the Brumbies on June 1, and the Waratahs' match against the Hurricanes on June 2.

Players in the 22-man squad will likely have one training session together - the Captain's run - before playing Scotland.

Asked if this was the greatest challenge of his coaching career aside from the World Cup, Deans replied: "No doubt about it.

"It's unprecedented. We won't know until 9.15pm on Saturday night the playing roster we can consider when we play two days later.

"And these derbies tend to be pretty ferocious, particularly when they know there is a Test side about to be named.

"The wait until the 11th hour is hard, but it is also exciting. I am not daunted by it. The players won't be daunted by it, they will take to it. We gather, and shortly after it's game on. We won't have to wait too long."

But Deans will have players who are in contention fly to Coogee on their day off the week before the Test to familiarise them with the game plan.

Deans was stung last year after he named an inexperienced side to face Samoa because it came directly after the Super Rugby final, and he made it clear Test caps would not be devalued.

"My preference is that we don't want to be providing caps that haven't been earned," Deans said. "It is very unlikely to be a totally Reds and Force-based side. It is a Test match. I guess if we learned something out of Samoa it is that no one can play three games in a week.

"It's a moving target. It's not dissimilar to Samoa, and we don't want to go through that again."

Deans confirmed Berrick Barnes remains in contention despite recent speculation he would be dropped from the squad.

"He is clearly still on the radar," Deans said. "I guess you look at any franchise, players reflect the way the group at the franchise is playing.

"You look at the Reds, they are a totally different side. Look at the Rebels ... Nick Phipps looks a totally different player (to earlier this season). Kurtley (Beale) has been a big part of that, his ability to create momentum in games.

"Barnesy is very much a confidence player. It's fair to say the Waratahs haven't had a lot of momentum, but he has got history.

"We know his history, we know him well. That still can be of advantage."

One underrated aspect of Deans' tenure is that several players he blooded are young in age but now highly experienced internationals.Deans has indicated that there will not be a raft of bolters in his Test squad. What will tip the balance is the form of the players over the next three weekends in Super Rugby.

"We are getting to the point of no second chances," he said. "Teams are playing for survival or to win the competition. It is the perfect context for us to observe players.

'Scotland and Wales will be sitting back rubbing their hands looking forward to this opportunity.

"They know we have Super Rugby in the days prior, they understand that Test matches are distinct, they will be looking to take advantage of that circumstance.

"Conversely, there's no better opportunity for a player who wants to come forward with us this year, to promote themselves and show that they are not daunted by that challenge."

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