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As we move into the festive season and leave 2014 behind, get ready for a new-look for Australian rugby in 2015, thanks to Michael Cheika.
The Wallabies coach is part of the old-school rugby that’s to be enjoyed, yet Cheika is well-versed in professional rugby that requires discipline.
And for those who bleat Cheika should give up his Waratahs job to concentrate on his Walaby responsibilities, step back for one moment. Recognise that while he’s coaching the Waratahs against the other four franchises, he’ll be able to gauge first hand how Wallaby contenders cope with the pressure Cheika heaps on them.
That’s the best of both worlds as Cheika sets out to retain the Super Rugby title, after securing the Waratahs’ first in 19 years. Cheika achieved the ‘impossible’ in only his second season.
For the 2015 Wallabies, working on the utopia assumption all genuine contenders are both fully-fit, and in good form.
Cheika’s first big decision will be his Wallaby captain, where hooker Stephen Moore is the stand-out. The next decision of importance will be choosing between David Pocock or Michael Hooper for the number seven jersey.
The third, how to treat the inclusion of NRL-AFL recruit Karmichael Hunt, who is a superb acquisition for the Reds. Hunt will take rugby by storm, as Israel Folau did, and will continue to do so.
And with the long injury list about to be wiped out, Cheika will get a migraine trying to settle on his first choice Wallaby squad in 2015.
The list is impressive.
Props
James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Scott Sio, Tetera Faulkner, Pek Cowan, Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander.
Hookers
Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Hanson and Saia Fainga’a.
Locks
Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, Sam Carter, James Horwill, Cadeyrn Neville, and Luke Jones.
Backrowers
David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, David Dennis, Ben McCalman, Scott Higginbotham, Wycliff Palu and Liam Gill.
Half-backs
Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Nic White and Ben Meehan.
Fly-halves
Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper and Matt Toomua.
Centres
Kurtley Beale, Matt Tomua, Karmichael Hunt, Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano and Kyle Godwin.
Wingers
Henry Speight, James O’Connor, Nick Cummins, Rob Horne, Tom English, Joe Tomane and Peter Betham.
Full-back
None better than Israel Folau.
So bring on 2015 with confidence, knowing Michael Cheika will make it work.
But in the meantime a Merry Christmas to all sporting folk, on and off the field, around the world.