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Michael Cheika is keeping it jovial with his players after a winning start as Wallabies coach, but failing to put games to bed is no laughing matter.
Australia snuck home 33-28 over Wales on Saturday in Cheika’s first game in charge but a nervy ending again highlighted the Wallabies struggles in closing out from winning positions.
After poor late decisions cost them victory over the All Blacks last month, Australia kept Wales in the game by handing back possession with some questionable kicking tactics in the dying moments in Cardiff on Saturday.
Halfback Nick Phipps revealed Cheika spared the players a spray but still delivered a clear message similar mistakes wouldn’t be tolerated in the future.
“Cheik’s made that pretty clear, that’s not what we’re going to be doing from now on,” Phipps said ahead of Saturday’s clash with France in Paris.
“He went about it in his way. You could tell that he was joking about it but you could tell he was dead serious about the message.
“He’s got his own way of getting messages across with that joking sort of message but you know that if it (the result) went the other way, he’d be spraying us a bit.”
Phipps expected Australia’s composure to improve with every match under the new regime.
“I think it’s good that stuff’s happening now rather than towards the end of the tour or even the World Cup next year,” Phipps said.
“This is the time to fine-tune things.”
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.