Deans in for bumpy ride

Former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones said on Sunday that the shortage of talent in certain positions would certainly make Robbie Deans' tenure at the helm of Australian rugby very difficult. Jones, who initially had reservations about the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) appointing Deans as the new Wallaby coach, does not for one moment doubt the New Zealander's capabilities. "Robbie is an excellent coach, there's no doubt about it. He has been one of the best at provincial level and I think he'll do an outstanding job," Jones told the Sunday Independent. However, Jones feels the current state of the Australian game could present a considerable challenge for Deans. "It's going to be difficult for him [Deans]. We [Australia] lack talent in certain positions and the sporting landscape has changed in Australia. "We were more professional than most countries when professionalism came into rugby union in 1995 because sport is so important in Australia. "That meant we had a head-start on others because we had learned from other sports. "But now the sporting landscape in Australia is so cluttered. The fight for young talent is unbelievable, more so than in any other country in the world. "Young kids of 15 and 16 are being offered three-year contracts by Rugby League clubs. "Also it's become too easy to become a professional union player. There is not that real hunger we used to have."