Spiro Zavos

Don't judge Deans by silver standard

By SPIRO ZAVOS - SMH

Robbie Deans may not have landed any of the sought-after silverware in this year's Tri-Nations, but that doesn't mean he didn't make some positive strides, writes SPIRO ZAVOS

A game of three halves and infinite law changes

By SPIRO ZAVOS - SMH

The French have a lovely way of describing the banter and gossip that takes place in anticipation of the next big rugby match: "The third half."

Five crucial selections Deans got wrong

By SPIRO ZAVOS - SMH

A friend rang after the Wallabies defeated the Springboks at Durban, their first victory in a Tri-Nations test in South Africa in eight years, and said: "The way things are going Robbie Deans will be canonised before Mary MacKillop." Now, after the Springboks massacred the Wallabies at Johannesburg inflicting the biggest losing margin on them since 1899, the sainthood process will have to wait - like that of Mary MacKillop - for at least one more miracle.

War principles serve Deans well

By SPIRO ZAVOS - SMH

The opening minutes of Saturday's test in Durban provided clues that the Wallabies were going to break their overseas hoodoo after 14 unsuccessful Tri-Nations matches in South Africa and New Zealand.