Robbie Deans handed coaching gig on eve of Harlequins start date

Robbie Deans has been added to the Barbarians coaching setup for their summer fixture against Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on 27 June.

The match takes place just before the former Wallabies boss officially starts his role as performance director at Harlequins for the next two seasons.

Deans will work alongside former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Racing 92 head coach Patrice Collazo, forming a formidable and experienced coaching trio.

This will mark Deans’ ninth involvement with the Barbarians. The 66-year-old New Zealander has previously overseen notable victories against Ireland (2015), Fiji (2016 and 2024), and participated in fixtures against New Zealand (2017), England (2015), Wales (2019), and South Africa (2025), as well as a draw against South Africa in 2016.

Speaking on his return, Deans said: “I’m very excited to be coming back to Allianz Stadium and represent the Barbarians. It’s such a special place to play and watch rugby. The Barbarians embody all the best elements of the game — playing with freedom, flair, and entertaining supporters on match day. I feel extremely fortunate to have been involved with the world’s most famous club for over a decade.”

Deans brings a wealth of elite-level coaching experience. He served as Director of Rugby at Saitama Wild Knights from 2014 to 2025, winning five Japanese league titles during his tenure. Prior to that, he was member of the All Blacks coaching staff that returned the Bledisloe Cup to New Zealand in 2003 where it remains to this day.

He enjoyed a highly successful period with the Crusaders (2000–2008), where he secured five Super Rugby championships and then went on to coach Australia from 2008 to 2013, taking the Wallabies to a ranking of second in the world for three consecutive years and winning the Tri-Nations in 2011.

John Spencer, President of Barbarian F.C. commented: “We are honoured to be welcoming Robbie back into the coaching team this summer. Robbie and the Barbarians have a long and proud history. He is a coach with the utmost respect across the world game, highlighted by his recent appointment in the U.K. He is a man and a coach who embodies the Barbarian F.C. club spirit and ethos and having his vision and experience alongside Scott and Patrice this summer is hugely exciting.”

The men’s match is the first of a doubleheader between the Barbarians and Wales, with the women’s game kicking off at 5pm. Tickets can be purchased via the Ticketmaster or England Rugby websites.