Deans warns about false god of money

Robbie Deans laughs down the line from Japan when asked if his love of winning, or hatred of losing, has decreased with age.

‘‘No,’’ he said. ‘‘On both fronts. ‘‘Because over time, you come to understand how much is involved in just putting yourself in that position. And for that reason, you don’t like to come second when you do put yourself in that position.’’

Deans, now 62, is in ‘‘that position’’ yet again. His side, Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, will play Suntory in the final of Japan Rugby League One tomorrow.

If Saitama win, it will be Deans’ fifth title in Japan, recreating his success with the Crusaders in the 2000s.

But, it’s not the topic of the professional game, or the subject of crossborder club competitions, that brings a passionate and fretful response from Deans: it’s what’s happening beneath that level.

‘‘The health of the game ultimately won’t just be those competitions of interests,’’ Deans said.

‘‘The health of the game will be making sure that the grassroots – this most misunderstood term – is producing players, and can continue to produce players that are able to follow that pathway.

‘‘The motivation can’t just be the top end, in the professional game, it’s got to be the health of the game, top to bottom.’’

He goes further. ‘‘There is a bit of an obsession at the moment with money,’’ he said. ‘‘Money creates problems, more than solves.

‘‘Look at the English football Premiership. None of those clubs make a profit. They just spend more. So the underlying question is, ‘ What is your reason for being, your place in the game?’ Master that, and then the game will be in good health.’’

It’s a question rugby administrators must answer as the provincial unions prepare to vote on the proposed NZ Rugby-Silver Lake deal at a special general meeting in Auckland next Thursday.

Professional players will benefit if Silver Lake delivers on its revenue targets, but somewhat paradoxically the deal has been sold by NZ Rugby as essential for the long-neglected grassroots, the clubs.

When asked if that pitch struck him as genuine, Deans had a firm message for those in power.

‘‘It has to be,’’ he said. ‘‘Ultimately, decisions will be made, and they’ll have consequences.

‘‘I have no doubt there’ll be lots of conversations, and it’s the role of those who are in governance to cater for the future of the game. That’s leadership. Leadership is catering for beyond your term in power in the position you’re in.’’