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So Michael Cheika’s lads have dropped to fifth in the rankings, I never would have thought it possible. Perhaps they can even drop further if they lose to England next week.
With Cheika not having much time with these lads was it optimistic thinking he could change the team in such a short amount of time?
It’s hard to say, but I doubt it. You can only coach with what you have, he needs a way to get these boys to play the brand he wants to play and in my opinion it cannot be the Waratahs way.
It just doesn’t work, international Tests are a different beast.
His substitution of players seems a bit weird for my liking. Nick Phipps springs to mind, with Cheika keeping him on the field for far too long, giving Will Genia no chance of getting into the game properly.
Why did he call up Kurtley Beale late in the tour to come on over if he wanted to blood new players as well? It makes no sense to me.
With the World Cup six or seven games away, and with a stern test for the Wallabies this weekend against England, there is not much time for him to play around with combinations. What scares me with this is he may stick to what he knows, and that is what NSW were so successful with this year.
With time running out very fast, he must mould a team which will be competitive. But will he be sidetracked with running the Waratahs next year? Who will he employ to help him?
I still think the Wallabies could be the dark horse in next year’s World Cup if Cheika can get this team to gel and get the tight five playing like a tight five. Then the Wallabies will be worth putting a sly fiver on.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.