Head Coach - Robbie Deans

NEW Qantas Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans is the most successful coach in the history of Super rugby.

Prior to the most recent Super 14, the former All Black fullback had guided the Crusaders to the final six times, capturing the title in his first season in 2000, and again 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

In 2002, the Deans-coached Crusaders became the only side in Super rugby history to win every match it played during the competition. Between 2004 and 2007, his Crusaders also won a record 26 consecutive matches at home.

Last year, he became the first coach in Super rugby history to surpass a century of matches in charge. His overall record at the helm of the Crusaders, up until the start of May this year, stood at 116 matches played for 86 wins, 1 draw and just 29 defeats – a 74 percent success rate. Manager of the Crusaders between 1997 and 1999, a period during which the side also won titles in 1998 and 1999; Deans has thus been directly associated with all but the first 11 matches played by the competition’s most successful franchise.

As a player, Deans represented Canterbury for 12 season; appearing 146 times. Just three players have played in more matches for the province throughout its 129-year history. Deans scored 1641 points in those matches, which remains the Canterbury record despite the prolific point-scorers Andrew Mehrtens and Daniel Carter having graced the Canterbury jersey in the time since. Deans also played five Tests for New Zealand between 1983 and 1985, playing a pivotal role in the 2-1 series victory in Australia in 1984 which retained for the All Blacks the Bledisloe Cup.

As a coach, Deans rose to prominence when he took over the Canterbury side in 1997. The South Island powerhouse had last won New Zealand NPC when Deans had been a player in 1983, prior to his taking charge. Canterbury won it again during his first season – the province’s first title in 14 years; twice beating the Graham Henry-coached Auckland en-route to the title.

Deans later won the famous Ranfurly challenge Shield with Canterbury in 2000 before surrendering that role to concentrate entirely on the Crusaders. Deans’ was co-opted to assist the present Western Force coach John Mitchell with the All Blacks between 2001 and 2003. During that period, New Zealand won 22, drew one and lost four of the Tests that it played, while winning the Tri-Nations twice and recovering the Bledisloe Cup in 2003 after a five year absence.