At the risk of sounding like – well you know what – I am presently somewhere over Afghanistan in an aeroplane.
I am, of course, on the way to London. Having read through numerous reports, including The Roar and various New Zealand web sites, I felt the need to add my voice to the debate.
When Michael Cheika was appointed as the Wallabies coach I was concerned. He seemed to lack the emotional equilibrium for a successful national coach.
Then I worried about the ‘Giteau rule’ and doubted the utility of Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell. Then I wondered at how the chemistry of the phlegmatic and almost inhibited Stephen Larkham would gel with Cheika.
I worried about a Waratahs versus the rest divide.
How wrong I was.
This past five weeks has been a revelation and, for Australian rugby may well prove to be a revolution.
Whatever the result of my 48 hours of flights, I am already immensely proud of what ‘our’ team has achieved.
Few observers and commentators picked this outcome. Indeed I attended a Norths rugby lunch in July where no less an observer than Rod Kafer – who it must be said I have great respect for – remarked “we will not make it out of our pool and the reason is our forward pack”.
Even Kafe was wrong!
So, 48 hours out I say ‘dare to dream’. This bunch of unlikely team mates, think Pocock calling out a Waratah who is now his teammate for homophobic slurs a mere four months or so ago – are on the threshold of something truly remarkable.
Wheter they succeed – and I have a feeling that they will – I salute them, one and all.
They are truly a band of brothers and they deserve our massive support and respect.
RT
Guest
You just don't see the word "phlegmatic" used often enough these days. I'll tell you why I thought we'd do ok. Firstly I saw that we had finally decided to work on our scrum and secondly give me a coach who never quite made it as a player any day. They understand the game well but most of all they can give test players an understanding of how blessed they are.