Deans hails Aussie character

Australia boss Robbie Deans has backed his side to build on their 3-0 series whitewash over Wales this month.

The Wallabies edged this season's Six Nations Grand Slam winner in all three Tests to show great character, after a surprising defeat in New South Wales against Scotland. Deans was delighted with his side's response to losing to the Scots and believes his players will build on their series win ahead of the Rugby Championship, which gets underway in August. He said: "The Australian sporting character loves adversity and thrives on adversity and I think we've seen that this month, but it gets tested routinely so you can never presume. "I think there's been some really good indicators with this group that there's a substance to the group that's building." Australia take on world champions and their old rivals New Zealand in their opening game of the Rugby Championship, formerly the Tri-Nations, on August 18.