Robbie Deans will look to capitalise on the intelligence of the Australian players as he seeks to return the Wallabies to their former glory.

The intelligence of Australia's players was a distinguishing characteristic of the Wallabies during their golden era under Rod Macqueen.

The Wallabies were not as athletic as the All Blacks or as powerful as the Springboks so they had to outsmart them. It was this quality that Deans noticed most about the Wallabies during their training camp in Sydney this week.

"Exactly as I anticipated actually," Deans replied when asked his impression of the squad. "I feel right at home, believe it or not. It just feels natural".

"I'm very proud to be in this position and I'm really excited about working with this group, not only a committed bunch of people, but they are also an intelligent bunch and we will need both of those qualities".

Deans, who guided the Crusaders to victory over the Waratahs in the Super 14 final only last Saturday, was happy to start work with the Wallabies immediately.

"It's just been great to get straight into the saddle," Deans said.

"It would have been very difficult if I had had to wait six months, watching. It gives me a great empathy with the group, a large group have come out of the final of Super rugby".

"... It has been very much more mental and organisational this week. Next week we'll flick the switch and get excited about our first Test".

The Wallabies play Ireland in their first Test under Deans in Melbourne next Saturday.

Deans has concentrated on imparting his philosophy of the game to the squad this week, but he will now focus more on the Irish.

But Deans was already wary of a strong Ireland team which will be determined to prove a point after its disappointing performance at the World Cup in France last year.

"They've got an experienced group," he said. "They've got a group that has come off some [European] success. They've got a Munster pack and a Leinster backline, so they've got combinations and they are a bit frustrated as a group. They are coming here to make a statement".

"A good performance is critical. If that means victory, then that's great. That's what we will be aiming for, but it will be a starting point for us".

Deans was comfortable with the IRB edict to referees to police the tackle and ruck to the letter of the law, which should be an advantage for the Wallabies, who will look to play a fast, expansive game.

If the referee is tough at the tackle area, there will be less chance for the two teams to slow down each other's ball at the breakdown.

"Anything the referees do consistently is great," Deans said.

"From our perspective, we just need to know what the parameters are and hopefully they are enforced consistently and relentlessly, first minute, last minute, and that allows the players and the team to adapt and play with certainty around their decisions.

"It will help all players on the ground essentially. It is only as good as what you bring to it and both sides will look to make the most of the circumstances."

While the Test against Ireland will be played under the old laws, Deans will urge his players to continue the attacking style of rugby which they experienced in the Super 14 under the experimental law variations.

"It will be interesting to see how we adapt to that," Deans said.

"But it is also an opportunity for us and I'm hoping that our group won't be inhibited by that and that we may have actually grown our ability to play through the experience we have had in the last six months".

"We're on track. Our aim is to hit the ground running next week".

365