Two-year deal keeps Robbie Deans at Wallabies

Australia coach Robbie Deans has signed a two-year contract and will remain in charge of the Wallabies until the end of the 2013 international season.

There has been speculation for a number of months that Deans, who is in the final year of a four-year deal, would be offered fresh terms after the Australian Rugby Union board instructed chief executive John O'Neill to open negotiations with the former Crusaders boss.

The deal has now been finalised, ensuring Deans will have no distractions heading into the World Cup.

"A large number of players have re-committed to Australian Rugby this year, I'm pleased to be joining them," said Deans, who will name his final 30-man squad for the World Cup tomorrow.

"My priority remains, as it has always been, the preparations both for the final Tri Nations Series Test against the All Blacks in Brisbane, and then for the Rugby World Cup that follows in New Zealand."

The announcement ends any hope the All Blacks had of poaching the New Zealander back across the Tasman Sea following the World Cup, which gets under way next month.

Deans was overlooked for the New Zealand job before moving to Australia and it was understood the New Zealand Rugby Union were keen to bring him back home if the All Blacks were to fail again at the tournament.