It is time to brainstorm the options of a coach who has just taken over the national team on a spring tour.
Do you hire a manager that specialises in team logistics, the media or communication with governing bodies?
Do you turn gold into blue or unite everyone under the “Rugby World Cup journey” cliché slogan? Or do you simply get out on the paddock and focus on the footy?
Michael Cheika is now facing many tough decisions that didn’t exist a few days ago. One thing is clear – Cheika is his own man with his own coaching philosophy, and he won’t be rattled by this unique position.
Nevertheless, it’s worth speculating on how one could unite a team at such short notice. Place yourself in this man’s shoes an hour after you touchdown at Heathrow.
What would you do if you were the coach of the national team?
1. Have a drink with the players
Seriously. Kangaroo court or a meet and greet, call it what you want, but an informal bonding session of high quality, with coach and players together, would get things rolling nicely.
Former players Joe Roff and Toutai Kefu both claim the most important part of their preparation for the successful 1999 Rugby World Cup campaign was getting straight off the plane into a lengthy night of beers, laughs and guitar sing-alongs with their teammates.
Cheika is already known for bringing teams closer together via unique methods, such as celebrating those players entering fatherhood or marriage via team huddles with mini champagnes, and they are a welcome (and refreshing) concept. Sure, having a beer with the team might be old-school, but it is also genuine – two key features of a Cheika regime. It doesn’t have to be alcohol, but it is the UK, what else does one do over there?
2. Don’t upend the strategy
Maybe soon, but not immediately. Twelve days is nowhere near enough time to sketch a new game plan onto the whiteboard, let alone execute one on the field. Both Matt Toomua and Bernard Foley, the team’s playmakers, prefer an understanding of an overall structure, that has been in place for the past year.
What’s wrong with continuing in this fashion for such a tour? They did, after all, play a damn fine game of rugby only two weeks ago.
3. Put the ARU credit card behind the local Walkabout bar
Kidding. Well, sort of. You’ve just got a big pay rise and there would be no better way to test how far you can stretch your bargaining power with Mr Pulver. On second thoughts, maybe stick to point one
4. Catch up with the locals
When I say locals, I mean those Australian players currently acting as European locals. Such expats may become very useful coming into a World Cup year, should the ARU bend its laws around drawing on overseas players.
Have a game of Petanque with Matt Giteau and James O’Connor or a sneaky glass of red with George Smith. Catch up over a Guinness with the recently departed Kane Douglas and Honey Badger. Can’t hurt.
5. Dismiss results. Focus on the bigger picture
The results from this tour are insignificant in comparison with the journey ahead (cliché alert). If the team loses all five matches now, then wins all seven come Rugby World Cup 2015, it is the latter that will be remembered. Players will be returning to these grounds in less than 12 months with mountains of pressure – so why not enjoy this tour without any?
Don’t stress over the wins. Soak up the grounds, the atmosphere and the playing styles, and listen to a coach who has had proven UK success. Above all, enjoy the experience.
You are now the coach of the Wallabies, what’s your first move?
Bunratty
Guest
:)
Chan Wee
Guest
"" O'Connor waiting for Cheika's call 29th October 2014 13:44 Planet Rugby Kurtley Beale has given Michael Cheika enough off-field drama to address in his short time with Australia, but James O'Connor is waiting. Playing in Toulon, O'Connor is set to return to Australia at the beginning of next year with the Reds in Super Rugby in order to make himself eligible for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. That agreement was devised under the reign of Ewen McKenzie, which unceremoniously came to an end with his resignation at the beginning of October. O'Connor, in ripping form with Toulon and a reformed man, isn't sure where that leaves him. "Whatever happens, I want to be the best and work hard to make the selection for the World Cup. That is why I'm returning to Australia," O'Connor told L'Equipe. "I talked with Ewan McKenzie before deciding to come back and it was on track for me. Now there is a new coach. I haven't had a call yet. But if I put in good performances for the club I could be in contention. I want to be a Wallaby again." Beale could do with taking note of O'Connor's progress over the last year. The 24-year-old has turned his career around since his ARU contract was torn up, starting at London Irish in the Premiership before moving to Toulon. Grounded off the field and impressing on it, O'Connor is relishing his time in France. "Coming to Toulon was definitely one of my better choices. The club wants to win everything, it's very refreshing for me to have that mindset. "Here, we seek perfection and I haven't always been used to that. I am happy to be at this club. Many people in rugby had an opinion about me before I came to Toulon because I had a reputation that preceded me. But here at the club, I've been accepted for who I am without any preconceptions. That's why I've adapted quickly. "Everything in my life is much better here. I'm happier on the field and off it. I didn't have that before. I've found a lot of small things in life and French culture that have helped me to fully develop. I love my life here, it makes you want to come back..."
Bakkies
Guest
Yeah he was in Japan. He has been with Lyon since the start of the season in August.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
When you said when he "jumps off the plane" I had visions of doom. But then I read the article. Good advice.
Thunderguts
Guest
Thank God the author is not the coach. The old days of beer drinking mate-ship should have gone in the 70,s. Get them off the plane, go to the hotel and then a 2 hours session of physical activity will get the body to forget about jet lag and will get the participant to clearly understand what they are there for. Beer drinking and celebration can come after they have achieved something.
Euan
Guest
What? OK, Leinster aren't in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and neither is the Paris of Stade Francais, but they play all the other clubs that are. Winning the Heineken Cup is the pinnacle of club rugby in Europe, which Cheika achieved with Leinster in 2009.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Wasn't he playing for Japan? That's why he was able to join the Brumbies last year, Japanese off-season. Or did he recently get picked up by Lyon?
Derm
Roar Guru
Cheika hasn't got any proven UK success.
Phil Bird
Roar Guru
George Smith will be in france http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/george-smith-to-leave-japan-for-france-after-signing-twoyear-deal-with-lyon/story-fnii0ksb-1226834193411?nk=d18189327ea9a0caa9e8b6122afe06c9 Honey badger will be on the field on Saturday http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wallabies/nick-the-honey-badger-cummins-to-face-wallabies-at-twickenham-as-part-of-barbarians-squad/story-e6frf55l-1227062556720?nk=d18189327ea9a0caa9e8b6122afe06c9
WQ
Guest
He should start by taking all their mobile phones I would have thought!
Bakkies
Guest
Temple is the main one now. Cheika needs to remind his Waratahs that they are playing for Australia and fit in with in the rest of the squad. The amount of support for Beale's bad behaviour from the Waratahs and the Brumbies/Reds support for the management showed an obvious division.
Bakkies
Guest
Smith now plays for Lyon which is a couple of hours TGV ride from Paris.
Bakkies
Guest
They earned the right to go off for a few beers and I bet they got home at a reasonable hour and didn't get in trouble with the cops. Badger is in the Barbarians squad.
stevjam
Guest
Pretty sure the Temple walkabout is still there ... and fairly easy to get to post Twickenham :)
44bottles
Roar Guru
Think George Smith is in Japan, so might be hard to have a chat to him. Also, the Wallabies would be probably be playing in Paris, not in the south where Toulon is.
Sportym
Guest
Walkabouts have all but closed in the UK, and I'm sure the Honey Badger is in Japan. I think the last thing the wallabies need is a best mate, seems Link treated them that way and look what happened. First thing Cheika needs to show is that he is in charge, noone is bigger than the Wallabies themselves, and anyone breaking the rules will be punished. A clear failing from last years Tour was the suspended players that took it very badly. I hope Cheika kicks some serious wallaby butt, and gets these blokes respecting the jersey again. The 1999 squad were united and played for their country, they could afford to hit the bar together. This mob needs some serious hard love before they can have sing a longs in a local walkabout, if they can find one ;)