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Can Michael Cheika lead the Wallabies to the promised land?

Roar Rookie
5th December, 2014
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Michael Cheika. Y U SO BAD? (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Rookie
5th December, 2014
59
1283 Reads

Having watched the machinations of Wallaby rugby over the last year or so, I’ve been moved to write to put my thoughts out there for others to criticise or agree with.

The last three coaches of the Wallabies have drawn some attention for me. I did not really think from a year or two into his tenure that Robbie Deans was the right man for the job.

His selection process was flawed and I fail to see how he got his message across to the players – especially if listening to him bumble through giving a press conference with cryptic short answers was anything to go on.

I struggled to understand him and I’m sure a fair percentage of the players had a problem also. I also had the impression that he had lost the confidence of the players in the last part of his tenure.

Ewen McKenzie was the best choice even when he declined to accept the position way back, but even taking into account his success with the Reds I started to doubt his ability towards the end of his tenure – particularly when he became the coaching director.

I have watched him since he was at the Tahs and while I accept that he had ability he seemed to lack that vital ingredient that coaches need to be great.

The fact that his Tah team was nearly there but didn’t get there remains an example of this.

The planets aligned with the Reds and it all came together for a season. However, like Deans with the Wallabies, Link’s decisions on selections and his allowing Scott Higginbothom to go and the Will Genia saga showed some cracks in my belief in his strength of character.

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I started to form the opinion that he liked his favourites and that was influencing and interfering with his decision making as a coach.

His handling of the Kurt Beale situating prior to the EOYT was fairly diabolical to say the least.

I have no opinion on what was right or wrong in this matter I’ll leave that for others to discuss, but Mackenzie’s handling of the situation was not what I wanted as a coach of our national side.

The Beale situation should have been handled on the plane and whatever punishment was necessary to be meted out should have been handled in house. If that warranted Beale being sent home, so be it, but certainly not the saga and silliness that followed from all parties involved.

Now we have Michael Cheika as the last-minute substitute coach, thrown in the deep end at the start of the EOYT.

I admire his turnaround of the Tahs from nearly there for years to Super champs.

I think he has done a fine job coaching a provincial side, and I take in his good record while coaching overseas prior to coming back to Australia.

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However one EOYT does not make a good Wallaby coach, as seen by the record of one out of four.

The argument that Cheika had to deal with what he had as a side has some weight, but I see some of the same flaws emerging. There is a tendency to blind eye certain players from selection.

I cite Matt Hodgson as an example, he has the best stats as a 7 but he played only minimal time. Then there is Kyle Godwin who went on tour and didn’t play a single minute.

Michael Hooper is not the best choice as a captain. The guy is a great player, certainly not in a traditional 7 type mode, but he does not seem to have that aura that comes naturally for a captain of the national side.

Referees don’t seem to take note when he speaks and I wonder about some of his decision making.

But Cheika heaps adulation on him like he is the adorned one. This may be the culmination of the last two years with having him as the leader at the Tahs.

They have probably formed a bond, but this type of thinking is not what I require as a Wallaby coach.

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I want the Wallaby coach to look past provincial team loyalties and pick the best man for the job, regardless of where he comes from.

Cheika may succeed. He portrays supreme self confidence and a sense of entitlement that usually is associated with men that are successful in their lives.

The fact that he played for Randwick and is generally agreed to have the ear of the ARU and NSW rugby is an asset for him, however I’m more inclined to look at his tactics and his coaching strategy to see if he will succeed.

The dual role of coaching both the Tahs and the Wallabies will impede him in the run up to the WC. He will not have the time to devote solely to the Wallabies and no matter what he does in selections, there will be others that perceived bias and that he will favour the Tahs instead of looking further afield.

I hope that he is a success, and he turns out to be a great Wallaby coach and does us proud at the WC, but as for now I have my doubts.

I see flaws in his coaching philosophy for the team as it is has been widely discussed by Scott Allen, I would like to see him surround himself with a very good set piece exponent.

Andrew Blades is not cutting it for me. One asset I see is Nathan Grey as his assistant and the addition of Stephen Larkham would be a further asset prior to the WC.

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Our chances of getting past the pool stages seemed to be IMO rather slim on current form and to say that all the injured players are coming back to bolster our fortunes is really clutching at straws.

Injuries have an alarming effect on player’s form coming back into the fray. Not all of them will come back into the form they had prior to their injury, so with that in mind I doubt that the side he takes to the World Cup would be that far in front of the one that he presides over at present.

I see an advantage to having James O’Connor back in the side if he has retained his form. I do not see Karmichael Hunt as a viable option simply because he has not played for some time.

I truly want to barrack madly for the Wallabies again but I’m left with a sour taste in my mouth as to the latest dalliances off the field and some of the insipid performances on it.

I yearn for the hard, tough forward that we used to produce, men of steel and grit that could give as good as they received.

My perception of the side is that we go through the motions without fervour. Some players show the desperation that is needed to play at the international level.

Matt Toomua is one, but others just seem to be off the pace. I believe that this is a great coach’s forte, being able to get the best from his players.

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I hope that Michael Cheika is that person. To date, I’m unconvinced.

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