7 Sep 2009

Deans keeping young team's feet on the ground

7:18 am on 7 September 2009

The Australian rugby coach Robbie Deans has warned his young players not to get carried away with their unexpected Tri-Nations win over South Africa.

Deans was full of praise for his developing side, which has an average age of just 23, after they ended a frustrating run of defeats by beating the world champions 21-6 in Brisbane on Saturday.

However, Deans said the win would count for nothing if the Wallabies were unable to back it up in the last game against the All Blacks in Wellington.

Deans has kept faith with his younger players this season despite criticism of their performances and his own selections.

He was under pressure when they lost their first four Tri-Nations matches, but silenced his detractors by solving some of the bigger issues.