Tri-Nations
Deans hopes to profit from Reds' success
ESPNscrum Staff
July 11, 2011

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is hoping that his side can use the Reds' Super Rugby Final victory as a springboard to greater success.

The Reds claimed the Super Rugby crown for the first time in the professional era with an 18-13 victory over the Crusaders at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night with a late try from scrum-half Will Genia proving the key to an historic triumph.

Deans rewarded 15 of Ewen McKenzie's players with a place in his 40-man squad for the Tri-Nations and wants the group as a hole to capitalise on a rare win for an Australian franchise.

"We've talked about the importance of momentum and taking the step of starting to win consistently. We haven't had a lot of recent success at Super Rugby level. So the step the Reds have taken is real and that belief will come forward with us,'' Deans told the Sydney Morning Herald.

The most surprising selection was that of 35-year-old Reds back-rower Radike Samo who returns to the international set-up after a seven-year absence. He is joined by two new faces in the form of Reds flanker Beau Robinson and hooker James Hanson while Waratahs lock Sitaleki Timani is also a newcomer.

"Until you've done it, you've got no idea," added Deans. "That was a great effort and we hope to run off that. There is a big overlap in people [in the squad], so there will inevitably be some carry from both campaigns. We're all in this together and when you get the same personnel to a large extent, invariably the shape of your game looks pretty similar as well because you want to bring what those players have to the floor.''

Deans was also buoyed by the Reds' gutsy showing against the Crusaders and believes it will also bolster their bid for Tri-Nations and World Cup glory. "'The Reds went toe to toe in the final and held up physically,'' he said. ''And that has been the element which has been lacking. To have that depth of belief and to get it done is a key, and sometimes those things aren't necessarily technical or tactical. Playing in the finals is great background for these blokes, and to have a large amount who have succeeded in that arena is invaluable.''

Wallabies squad:

Forwards: Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Ben Daley (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (capt) (Brumbies), Saia Faingaa (Reds), James Hanson (Reds), Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), James Horwill (Reds), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), David Pocock (Western Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Beau Robinson (Reds), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Radike Samo (Reds), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Rob Simmons (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), Sitaleki Timani (Waratahs), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs)

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Rod Davies (Reds), Anthony Faingaa (Reds), Will Genia (Reds), Mark Gerrard (Melbourne Rebels), Matt Giteau (Toulon), Digby Ioane (Reds), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Luke Morahan (Reds), James O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), Lachie Turner (Waratahs)

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