Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says it’s “obvious” he’s not liked or respected in New Zealand as the fallout continues from his unsolicited entry to the referee’s room during a Super Rugby match last month.
Cheika was on Thursday formally warned for approaching referee Jaco Peyper during his NSW Waratahs’ 23-11 victory over the Blues at Allianz Stadium.
While Cheika is keen to move on after being slapped on the wrists, many across the Tasman have questioned why SANZAR didn’t come down harder on him given he is still serving a six-month suspended ban for abusing a cameraman in South Africa last year.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has expressed dismay at Cheika’s conduct and at the leniency shown by Super Rugby’s governing body, who deemed Cheika had broken a law of the game – but not breached the code of conduct – by approaching Peyper seeking clarification of a scrum ruling.
Had he breached the code of conduct, Cheika would have triggered the ban and not been able to coach the Wallabies in an all-important World Cup year.
Asked after the Waratahs’ 32-18 pummelling at the hands of the Stormers on Saturday night if he felt like the victim of a smear campaign in New Zealand, Cheika said: “Obviously I’m not liked over there or not respected”.
“But it won’t change my opinion of them.
“I respect them for their football. They’ve got good football players, good coaches … and they’ve got a long list of them.
“That’s the way I’ll always think. I don’t change with the wind.”
Despite being accused of knowingly cheating by entering the referee’s room mid-game, Cheika said he’d made a conscious effort since being placed on his suspended ban – which expires on August 31 – to behave carefully.
“I’ve taken particular care since that day back in South Africa and I wasn’t careless the other day either,” he said.
Being grilled about his personal predicament only added to Cheika’s woes after the Waratahs slipped to 10th place on the table in their title defence following their hammering at the hands of the Stormers.
“I’m here to talk about the game. It’s not even an issue for me. It’s an issue for someone else,” he said.
“The last thing I’m thinking about is that. We’ve just been pumped at home, I’m not that selfish to think like that.
“You need to ask someone else about that stuff because someone else is driving it.”
AlsBoyce
Roar Guru
Goodness! The anti-Michael Cheika movement has really turned into rank stupidity. There's some raking up of the old Patston-Beale saga, and others calling him a loudmouth who neither has respect nor is worthy of any. Billtongbek calls the Waratahs the most hated Aussie team and so Cheika deserves his fate for having the temerity to coach them. Cheika appears to have a very good rapport with players, both Waratahs and Wallabies. That says a lot, I think. They are not going to respond to and perform for someone they don't respect. I think the knives are out particularly because the Waratahs don't seem to be going as well this year as 2014, and the attackers, who blame Cheika for the demise of Mckenzie, the demise of the Reds, and anything else not going so well in Aus rugby, are attempting to seize their chance to attack. The vehemence of the attacks is really extraordinary, and if I hadn't read these comments, I never would have thought that there would be people in our rugby community who could sink so low. The Tahs have now beaten the Canes, and you can read it here first. Chiefs to top the table, and meet the Tahs in their home final, which they'll probably win, because the home finalist nearly always wins. So what of the Wallabies .. well .. I see signs that look like a direction .. but too early to comment really.
piru
Guest
Turn it up Dru - the fact that Cheika decided to ignore a rule (and let's not pretend he 'didn't know' about a rule all coaches from under 6s up are familar with) taints the victory. Whether there was bias or not, whether it had any effect or not - the fact it happened brings any decision after into question. That is in fact the reason for the rule in the first place.
dsat24
Guest
Whoah, nearly missed missed this gold.
Danny
Guest
Who does Cheika respect? SA linesmen? Stadium furniture? Referees trying their best with near impossible to understand rules? He's right - no one in NZ respects him, and rightly so. Take a look at Eales, Larkham, MacQueen now there are guys you can respect. The didn't spit dummies they played hard and smart and brought humility to the table. Cheika is just another loudmouth. I doubt he'll ever earn respect at this rate.
Coconut
Guest
"Kiwis aren't the best losers"... lol! You must be having laugh mate, surely a case of the pot calling the kettle black if ever there was!
Pinetree
Guest
I agree Carlos, hopefully the scenarios you describe can help put this in perspective for some who believe that this was a fair call from SANZAR. When you think of all the 100" s of super games that have been played, and all the times that coaches have felt hard done by, but didn't approach the ref at half time because the rule is well known, it is hard to believe MC and peyper did not know the rule. MC has even had a fine for this before in Europe, so he must suffer from severe memory failure. To rub it in further SANZAR sends a reminder notice to all the others coaches to remind them of what they already know. SANZAR have failed to stamp down on what should of resulted in at least a fine and a few weeks stand down.
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
This is not a Kiwi-SA-Oz issue. I just want to know what any of the tri-nations "gurus" would say if this was Lancaster entering Nigel Owens room at half time against any of the Tri nations and then you get a penalty number reversal such as this one. Or what would happen if Hourcade entered the ref room at half time in Argentina before the second half of the Wallaby game and something similar happened? You have to take a bit of a distance from the local situation to understand that this truly, really smells very bad. I am appalled at this situation. I am really disappointed in Peyper and in Cheika. But my biggest contempt is for SANZAR who put it under the carpet. I am very glad that Gregor Paul brought this up. I have become friends with Gregor over the years, he has been extremely helpful and gracious to me when covering matches together and don't think he is terribly parochial. By the way, he is a Scot and not a kiwi.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Tap, tap, tap - I think my screen has frozen. I cannot believe what I see. ;)
somer
Guest
Cheika is the focus of attention because the perception is that the incident was down-played because of the consequences to Cheika. Peyper could have been sanctioned without to much harm, a few matches stood down maybe, but any such sanction would have also triggered Cheika's 6 month ban, and of course prevented him from coaching the Wallabies in the RWC. Cheika has a track record of bad behavior, he's been fined for talking to refs previously and of course his suspended sentence put everyone into this awkward position in the first place. It's not hard to see why everyone is generally frustrated at Cheika's behavior.
taylorman
Guest
you'd think a doctor would know that... :-)
somer
Guest
EagleJack I guess the irony of you contributing to the said talking is a bit beyond you.
The Battered Slav
Guest
In my uninformed view, seems like a fairly calculated move aimed at cultivating his persona and 'unique' coaching style. ...or alternatively, just an ill-conceived attempt at influencing the game. Either way it's not something I would have thought would generate so many comments, woops, just added to the heap. Time to move on people.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Dr Katz JK was knighted primarily for his service to mental health issues in NZ.
The Battered Slav
Guest
Got a hold of mum's iPhone again? Surely you should be doing your (not you're) homework instead, you chimp.
dr katz
Guest
Its clearly all part of Sir John's training to become the next all black coach. Clearly Steve Hansen is schooling him in the art of throwing big red herrings to distract and confuse the real issues and the press has run with it. Brillant! So rather than questioning why one of the NZ Rugbys Sir club has been an epic failure as coach with the cattle he has at his disposal its all about opposition coach, the ref and wonky penalties. Best RWC strategy from Hansen yet!
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Exactly = strong circumstantial evidence right there !!.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
Traffic cops are about as popular as Referees !
Wozza
Guest
I think that's a harsh assessment. Sure it breaches the rules and given the way the penalty count panned out in the 2nd half, there's good reason but I hardly think seeking a clarification on a ruling is deliberately trying to gain an advantage but if others do, so be it
Common Sense
Guest
Entering the referees room and talking to him is illegal, it's also an advantage.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Pretty simple really. Cheika breaks the rules, then he and the Tahs apologists blame everyone else. Good to see their heads are still firmly buried where the sun doesn't shine