Read this paragraph from Fairfax Media, and blink in disbelief.
“Cheika has declared it will be full steam ahead for his team for the rest of the tournament, revealing he won’t rest players in the last pool match against Wales on the weekend despite being guaranteed a quarter-final spot.”
What?
That’s either the dumbest quote Wallaby coach Michael Cheika will ever make, or the worst reporting of all time.
Beating Wales is all-consuming, a must if the Wallabies are to win a record third World Cup. Losing is not an option.
The Wallabies and Wales are locked on 13 points apiece in Pool A, with the winner to enjoy a far easier run in the finals series. But there are four other games that will heavily affect the quarters and beyond.
In Pool B, the Springboks lead on 11 points, from Scotland on 10, and Japan’s 8.
The Boks play the USA, Scotland goes in against Samoa, while Japan has the USA to play as well, just four days after the Boks.
In Pool C, the All Blacks lead on 14 points with Tonga to play, while the Pumas on 10 have to meet Namibia. So nothing will change.
In Pool D, Ireland and France are locked on 14 points and meet in the final round.
The finals series draw is pre-set:
QF1 – winner of B v runner up of A
QF2 – winner of C v runner up of D.
QF3 – winner of D v runner up of C.
QF4 – winner of A v runner up of B.
SF1 – winner of QF1 v winner of QF2.
SF2 – winner of QF3 v winner of QF4.
So when the full-strength Wallabies beat Wales, the match-ups will look like this:
QF1 – Springboks v Wales.
QF2 – All Blacks v Ireland or France.
QF3 – Ireland or France v Pumas.
QF4 – Wallabies v Scotland or Japan.
SF1 – Springboks v All Blacks.
SF2 – Wallabies v Ireland or France.
But if the Wallabies lose to Wales early next Sunday morning, it’s a vastly different story:
QF1 – Springboks v Wallabies.
SF1 – All Blacks v Wallabies.
The alternatives losing to Wales are far worse than being in the ‘Pool of Death’.
ThugbyFan
Guest
The RWC judiciary is a joke. They rubbed the Argie forward out for what may or may not have been an accident, yet they took the word of English forward Woods who kicked a Welsh player (but accidental of course). I also note Sam Burgess wasn't cited for a forearm to the head, which to my mind is a far more dangerous act. They have cited Hooper for a shoulder charge (he got a 1 week ban) yet have not cited O.Farrell for the same offence. Strange that huh? Of course, many bloggers will shout that its not a conspiracy but the boys from WR and RWC organisers sure make it appear as such. Either that or they are incompetent old farts who seem to turn a blind eye to certain indiscretions, especially if the perpetrator is a NH player. So far the count is 2 SH players cited and received bans, and ZERO out of 3 for pommies.
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
NZ-AUS FINAL..you heard it here first.
Tycoch
Guest
Like to put some money where your mouth is? Bookies have Australia 7 point favorites
Bobbo7
Guest
Based on what? SA have done nothing really. Belting minnows after an embarrassing loss means nothing
Daveyboy
Guest
Yes,Harry and he "hypnotised" Big Kane Douglas and made into a wrecking machine - Waratahs forwards not quite so effective this year without him.
Red Rag
Roar Rookie
Eh? Cheika says he won't rest players. How is that "he dumbest quote Wallaby coach Michael Cheika will ever make". He is agreeing with you.
Pete
Guest
He found a Wobbly with its head stuck in the fence...
Dave_S
Guest
Yes there is something in that Howi. The ABs and SBs are known quantities and the WBs confidence is at a level it has not been for a long time, higher than when we last beat both those sides. I suspect the WBs would be more concerned facing a less familiar opponent like France or Ireland.
Mike
Guest
Yes. I puzzled over that for quite a while - Cheika says what David Lord thinks he should be saying, but Lordy's still not happy!?
Mike
Guest
Agree. I think it was the right decision to let him go back then, and its the right decision to bring him back now - very glad that he is wearing gold again.
Howi
Roar Rookie
I think too much is being made over the question of which is the better path to the final. The Wallabies have learned how to defeat the Boks and the All Blacks. They've probably achieved that feat more than any other team. It's just that they are not always good enough. But maybe they are good enough right now. They probably believe that they are, which is most important. I wouldn't be worried about the Boks this year. And you have to meet the All Blacks sooner or later. It woudn't faze me either way. The Wallabies have won the final twice before, and it was never against the Boks or the All Blacks. And by the same token, they have beaten both those teams in a semi-final.
MJB
Guest
But that's not what Lord was saying. He said that beating Wales was 'all consuming', and therefore there should never even be a question about resting someone. Which is the same thing Cheika and the SMH said!
Warwick Todd
Guest
Brett I read and re-read it the same way and I can't figure out what the old fella means.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Yes HarryT... and I'm one of those original true believers too. Although, I must say, for me it's a quiet satisfaction more than a smirk :))
HarryT
Guest
'Cheiks has proved everyone wrong yet again!' Actually Mel, it's not everyone. There is a substantial number of rugby supporters who have believed in Cheika for a long time. Many of us just choose not to engage in the tsunami of negativity, but we are out there, smirking at the recently converted and enjoying the absence of the hard-core detractors. My support for him started when he converted KB into a world class 12 in the 2014 season and in the same year was able to extract career best form from the whole Waratah backline.
Larry
Guest
It would be very rich for you to criticise someone for producing rotten journalism. Thanks for reproducing a summary of the tables and a fixture list though, excellent article.
Utah
Guest
Gotcha. Strange. Make a song and dance over someone saying they're doing what you think they should do.
Taylorman
Guest
Burnout is the obvious risk there. Doesnt take rocket science to know finals are usually low try kickfest battles of attrition. Thats because both sides are physically and mentally stuffed by then and usually play their toughest matches in the quarters or semis. With two extra tough matches oz face that predicament earlier than those that can ease off a bit.
LT18
Guest
No they won't
Mel R
Roar Rookie
One thing was sure consistent with the Wallabies against Poms and that was their unrelenting attack and defence.Cheiks has proved everyone wrong yet again! There is clearly no question now about his man management and coaching nous.He has timed the Wallabies A Team run well into the finals.I doubt very much Wales would worry them now, its clearly going to be a bridge too far for Wales(note Gatland's latest comments regarding Pool of Death).If anything the ARU should be worried that the English RFU would make Cheiks an offer he could not refuse to coach England after the RWC!!!