Wallabies coach Robbie Deans with his All Blacks counterpart Graham Henry at a function in Sydney in May. Photo: Ben Rushton

Embattled Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has received some support from an unlikely quarter - the man who beat him out for the All Blacks post back in 2008.

Graham Henry today delivered a timely message of backing for the under-siege Deans whose Wallabies side was stunned 32-23 by Samoa in Sydney last Sunday in one of international rugby's big upsets of the last decade.

Deans has been labelled "arrogant" by one Australian rugby writer and former Wallaby legend David Campese, among others, chastised him for sending out what was in effect a second-string side to face the Samoans.