Robbie Deans. Pic: NZPA

By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Sydney, June 28 NZPA - The French rate the current Wallabies as a better rugby side than the All Blacks, and a fair few New Zealand fans would probably agree.

But Wallabies coach Robbie Deans insists they're being hurled "in the deep end" by opening the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks at Auckland's Eden Park on July 18.

Fresh from his side's 22-6 win over France, Deans wasn't about to join the chorus of All Blacks critics but instead focused on his side's 23-year drought at Eden Park.

The All Blacks won 39-10 last year to make it 10 consecutive trans-Tasman victories at Eden Park, since the Wallabies' last success in 1986.

"Clearly there's not a lot in it (between the sides) and the maths would support that as well," Deans said today.

"We go in the deep end there, so to speak, but that (win drought) will be a good focal point for us. We came up well short there last year and I would envisage the All Blacks will present themselves in exactly the same way."

Deans predicted it would be "a great Tri-Nations" after watching the Springboks seal the series 2-0 over the British and Irish Lions, even if he felt sympathy for Lions coach Ian McGeechan whose side lost to a late penalty.

He only saw glimpses of the All Blacks' patchy 27-6 win over Italy last night, which followed the Wallabies' 23 and 22-point victories over the same opponents.

While there was plenty of hand-wringing over the injury loss of key men Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, Deans insisted the absence of his former Crusaders would not diminish the Wallabies' task.

"We've seen that in the past, it doesn't change the challenge at all. It's disappointing to be honest, it would be great to be able to play the All Blacks with those blokes there. Players love to play the best," Deans said.

"Richie will return soon I'd imagine. And I'm sure we'll see Dan before the Tri-Nations is out as well. It'd be great for the rugby public."

Deans said his side's tough defence to deny France a try was the most significant part of last night's victory, with pivot Matt Giteau scoring all their points, including a try, before 43,588 fans at ANZ Stadium.

And the vanquished French -- who squared the two-test series in New Zealand but won the Dave Gallaher Cup on points differential -- continued to insist the Wallabies were the benchmark team in the south.

"They were probably better organised than New Zealand, they don't make any mistakes," coach Marc Lievremont said through an interpreter.

"They had a better start and maybe what we did wrong during the last two games was OK for that, but in this game we paid cash. A very good Australian team showed us maybe a real level."

Deans will name his 30-man Tri-Nations squad on Thursday.

Flanker Rocky Elsom will likely be included, but Deans said he was making frustratingly slow progress from a shoulder injury and appeared a doubtful starter for Eden Park.

Durable openside flanker George Smith will meanwhile play his 100th test at Eden Park after being named man of the match last night, and promises to again be a thorn in the collective sides of the All Blacks.

"He's remarkable. He's a great man and he loves the game and that shows," Deans said.

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