Newly appointed Harlequins performance director Robbie Deans will join the Barbarians coaching team for their June 27 clash with Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.<\/p>\n
Deans will work alongside former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Racing 92 boss Patrice Collazo, forming a hugely experienced coaching trio for the iconic fixture.<\/p>\n
The event will feature a double-header of international rugby, with the men\u2019s game kicking off at 2:00pm followed by the women\u2019s match, against Wales<\/a> Women, at 5:00pm.<\/p>\n Ninth involvement<\/p>\n This will mark Deans<\/a>\u2018 ninth involvement with the Barbarians<\/a>. The 66-year-old New Zealander has previously overseen notable wins against Ireland (2015), Fiji (2016 and 2024), and participated in games against New Zealand (2017), England (2015), Wales (2019), and South Africa (2025), as well as a draw against the Springboks in 2016.<\/p>\n Discussing his return, he said: \u201cI\u2019m very excited to be coming back to Allianz Stadium and represent the Barbarians. It\u2019s such a special place to play and watch rugby.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Barbarians embody all the best elements of the game \u2013 playing with freedom, flair, and entertaining supporters on match day. I feel extremely fortunate to have been involved with the world\u2019s most famous club for over a decade.\u201d<\/p>\n Crusaders ditch 30-year-old tradition leaving fans outraged: \u2018We\u2019ve tried our absolute best\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Christy Doran: The Wallabies can\u2019t win the Bledisloe Cup. Should they pick more reliable Brumbies?<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Prior to that, he was a member of the All Blacks coaching staff that returned the Bledisloe Cup to New Zealand in 2003 where it remains to this day.<\/p>\n