NSW Waratahs captain Dave Dennis doesn’t expect sanctioned coach Michael Cheika to retreat into his shell, despite his latest brush with rugby officialdom.
Dennis’ comments come after SANZAR was labelled a “laughing stock” in New Zealand for not coming down harder on the Waratahs and Wallabies coach for approaching referee Jaco Peyper over a scrum rule during the Super Rugby champions’ last-start win over the Blues.
The governing body has issued Cheika a formal warning, but says “there is no evidence that the referee was influenced by the exchange in his handling of the match, nor in the circumstances has there been a breach of the SANZAR code of conduct”.
However, had SANZAR deemed his actions a breach – instead of a rule breach – it would have triggered a suspended six-month ban, after Cheika verbally abused a cameraman last year during a Waratahs loss to the Sharks in Durban.
New Zealand Herald columnist Gregor Paul said: “The prevailing view in New Zealand is that using the break to enter the referee’s room – regardless of intent or content – is a serious offence and should automatically be considered a breach.
“SANZAR’S credibility was privately mocked by several leading Super Rugby figures yesterday, who feel the tournament organiser has made itself a laughing stock in the way it has handled the Michael Cheika affair.”
Cheika did not address the media as scheduled on the eve of the Waratahs’ hosting of the Stormers, but Dennis said on Friday he didn’t think the coach would retreat into his shell.
“He’s fine,” Dennis said. “There’s been no real mention of it during the week to the team and it’s been dealt with by SANZAR.
“So I can’t imagine him hiding away from it.”
Despite the let-off, Cheika is walking a fine line in a World Cup year, with his suspended ban not due to expire until August 31.
Dennis, though, said no one at the Waratahs really feared having their coach suspended.
“That’s a pretty extreme result if that was to happen,” he said.
Dennis understood Cheika’s query to Peyper to be about why the Blues received a short-arm penalty while defending a series of scrums on their line before halftime at Allianz Stadium.
The coach learnt the Tahs were penalised under the “use it or lose it” law, but they were miffed because they believed their scrum was still going forward.
“In hindsight, I think Peyper was right in terms of his interpretation,” Dennis said. “It was just a question from Cheika, I think.”
Peyper was booed off the field at the break before the Waratahs won the second-half penalties 9-1.
“I think Cheik was just being passionate about what the law is because we were all bamboozled with what the interpretation was at the time,” said Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who did not play that night.
The Waratahs say they have put the issue behind them and are ready to “play on” as usual against the Stormers.
piru
Guest
Mike, EVERYBODY knows this rule - it's common knowledge for every junior coach up to the top level. I appreciate you trying to defend your hero, but mate, pick your battles.
piru
Guest
The fact he didn't know he couldn't approach the ref, under 10's coaches know this
Fatty Robinson
Guest
The results of Super Rugby will have no bearing on The World Cup at all. I am predicting a Wallabies versus Pommies final. Cheika is the greatest asset we have at the moment and stop overreacting to his personality
Jibba Jabba
Guest
A dead horse !!! - how thick are you - cheika is obviously a serial offender and by all rights SHOULD be banned. He exhibits the behaviour of a spoiled child. However as quoted" If they invoked Cheika's suspended sentence that would have removed him from coaching the Wallabies at the World Cup and caused additional friction with Sanzar CEO Greg Peters, who is often a guest at Waratahs home games, and his son who is on the Tahs technical staff." Enough said - right up there with the Perth Glory.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Who's nervous now?, now that both Cheikas sides are in the wilderness. You mistook genuine concern for the issue, which was SANZAR being gutless, with some sort of jealousy or envy. Be interesting how much of the Tahs buildup during the week were as a result of Cheika's drawing criticism towards he and his side. We'll never know but what is obvious is Cheika in his dual role needs to be that much more clear about the boundaries, something other coaches are managing to do easily with just the one role.
Bakkies
Guest
Cheika got off lightly in regards to what he did to the Lansdowne Road dressing room door.
Bakkies
Guest
I mentioned on another article about this in regards to Munster coach Anthony Foley who approached the ref at half time in the Munster v Sale match. Nothing was mentioned but this is a new governing body that is nowhere as severe as the ERC who handed out hefty suspensions.
Zero Gain
Guest
What a silly comment. If a Kiwi coach had done it against the Reds I would be complaining too.
Niko
Guest
Tana Umaga did it. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11123864 Btw I'm a staunch ABs supporter, but not blinded like mike.
Tiger
Guest
Oh right, was that it? Ok then. I just find funny how you bothered to answer my one liner and provide an explanation at that. It only solidifies in my mind that you and your lot are worse off than I thought. Thanks for the chuckle mate. Best bit of squealing I've read in a while.
Upfromdown
Guest
You just seen to be making unfounded accusations. Which probably means you are possibly one of the crazy Reds fans who seems to think that everything bad that happens in Aust rugby is because the waratahs are behind it. Or you a kiwi in which why do you care so much?
Phantom
Roar Rookie
A kiwi coach wouldn't do it. Too classy
AliasAlias
Guest
Buy a mirror.
AliasAlias
Guest
G-sauce Mike, give it rest.
AliasAlias
Guest
Jameswm, were you responding to me? I hope you're not saying that what Cheika did was a good thing. Or that this enhances the reputation of Australian rugby. Or that the Wallabies are anything other than a dysfunctional rabble who are losing what little support they had in the community. You're obviously a loyal Tah man and that's great. At some point you've got to stand back and admit that things are pretty farked. You've also got to accept that promoting NSW players and interests at all costs is a major part of the problem.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
He didn't harass Peyper. Going anywhere near him though was dumb, if Peyper had made a formal complaint then the result of his actions could have been a whole lot different. With the suspended sentence he has too be a little more careful then that.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Yep, because the form of the Wallabies last year was ultra impressive. Cheika really turned them around on the EOY tour.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Mike, only Cheika & Peyper received official warnings. All super rugby coaches & refs got a reminder. This is as per the SANZAR statement: SANZAR has issued formal warnings to both Mr Cheika and Mr Peyper and has written to all referees and coaches, reminding them that no discussions should take place between the match officials and coaches during a match.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Mike, then why have SANZAR reminded all coaches that they are not to approach the referees during halftime? It's a common knowledge thing that coaches are not to go near a ref during a game. That's the captains job on the field.
Jameswm
Guest
You mean a liability fo the WWallabies like he was for the Tahs last year?