The Wallabies’ comprehensive defeat of Wales must have been quite satisfying for coach Michael Cheika.
The performance was a marked improvement on previous efforts this year in the southern hemisphere, where Australia had only won three of ten Tests.
Yet despite such poor results, there was no individual player set upon and held to account by the media or the public.
Instead, Cheika took the heat when he reacted to All Blacks coach Steven Hansen’s deliberate strategy to try and get under his skin. Cheika at times resembled the mad scientist during numerous public utterings.
Cheika took a beating in the media at times, as well-respected rugby scribes took him to task for the perceived emotional outbursts. While the focus was on the coach, the playing group was largely spared intense scrutiny over their performances.
The importance of Cheika drawing all the attention after poor results cannot be underestimated.
The Australian cricket team have only just completed their first Test match of the summer and already a certain Western Australian all-rounder and New South Wales off spinner are being savaged in the media and the public eye. Wallabies players had no such concern during their run of disappointing results as Cheika ensured the focus was all on him.
It must be said Cheika was on a hiding to nothing when it came to speaking his mind. He largely remained silent during the England series, despite numerous barbs by Eddie Jones. Cheika’s silence was perceived as a weakness by sections of the rugby community. Finally, when he did respond to New Zealand’s constant attacks, he was roundly criticised.
Whether or not it was a deliberate ploy by Cheika is irrelevant, because the results are speaking for themselves. At no stage this season, after a disappointing loss, did any reports of disharmony within the team or a disconnect between the playing group and the coach filter out of the Wallabies camp.
Cheika has taken some hits for the team this year and it is starting to pay dividends as he builds the nucleus of Australia’s 2019 World Cup side. Looking at the Wallabies from the outside, it is evident that the players respect the coach and play for him.
His coaching strategies and recent additions to the side exposed Wales on Saturday afternoon in Cardiff.
Two key planks of Cheika’s long-term plans, locks Rory Arnold and Adam Coleman, had tremendous performances against the Welsh. The intimidating pair dominated the lineout and were everywhere around the ground in both defence and attack.
Number eight, Lopeti Timani, was also important, getting over the advantage line and terrorising the Welsh when it was most needed. Cheika has the makings of a back row that will continue to develop over the next few seasons and will be peaking in Japan in 2019.
Cheika may have had his hand forced through injuries to Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper, but the introduction of Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge has rejuvenated the Wallabies’ backline.
Haylett-Petty and Hodge have improved with every outing and are starting to look comfortable at Test level. The two were heavily involved in attack against the Welsh with their line breaks and support play.
Veteran Israel Folau is also benefiting from the faith Cheika has shown in his players. Almost every former Wallaby has called for a positional switch for Folau this season, as he failed to have his usual output.
Yet Folau remained largely out of media and public focus as he struggled through his first serious form slump in the 15-man game. The imposing fullback has responded to the support of the coach, and his last two outings in the green and gold have resulted in a healthy return to form.
Rest assured, despite a very difficult season and intense scrutiny, Cheika is not going anywhere. The Wallabies will win more games than they lose during the remainder of their Spring tour. The intensity of recent All Black encounters has benefited the Wallabies, as they appeared to be on another level against the Welsh.
Australia’s comprehensive defeat of Wales on the weekend would have had one very interested observer.
Eddie Jones will know the Australian team that England will face in early December, will be a vastly different proposition to what they encountered earlier this year.
This time the roles will be reversed, and it will be England coming off an extended break, looking for early combinations and form.
If Jones decides to direct some friendly advice Australia’s way again leading into the contest, he might be surprised at Cheika’s response. Cheika’s madness has served his players well this year and will once again allow them to prepare for an epic encounter out of the spotlight.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
No mate, Coleman and Arnold are still Learners!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
You should go for Chiekas job of Coach, but you only say numerous times at that of how well the Wallabies played not how badly the Welsh played, and you also fail to mention the lucky to win scenario against the Scots as the they played the rugby but not the game. You obviously watched the Wales game and you'd have to admit the Welsh played woeful rugby and in fact it was generally accepted that the Welsh should win easily. I like the way the Aussies are progressing but they are a long way from World beaters and I doubt very much if Eddie the Mouth would be at all worried at the way the Wallabies won the Welsh game as they didn't need to play as well as they did as they had nothing to beat! ~ It was good to watch though!
The Saint
Roar Guru
Cheika is either mad or brilliant. For mine, the jury is still deliberating.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Or there's just madness to his madness?
Cynical Play
Guest
..says Marto...
Cynical Play
Guest
Cheika is getting better. And any coach will tell you they are only as good as the players they have to work with. And for those on this forum that mistake passion for anything else... join the Masons !
double agent
Guest
Coleman Arnold and Timani have all been part of his long term plan? As in it's taken him a long time to select them?
world in union
Guest
Well written article Trelawney McGregor - I'm in agreement and there's no better man to coach the Wallabies at present than Michael Cheika. What a refreshing change from the barbs of 'Spurious Spiro'
PeterK
Roar Guru
and wallabies were missing Genia, Kerevi, Beale, TPN, McMahon, Mumm
PeterK
Roar Guru
good point
John
Guest
Folks, let's not get ahead of ourselves - we seem to do this a lot here. Congrats to the Wallabies - they won a Test and that should be applauded. However, Wales was missing 5 frontline players, including 3 forwards. It may have been a very different game if they were on the field. The two tests against Ireland and England are shaping up to be the true challenges.
Rangan
Guest
I agree - but there is always the players and coaches 'being held to account' - at what point do the pundits/journos put their hand up and say 'we got it wrong'. Cheika "misbehaving" has been around for years - but it's what makes him real/raw. All too often the commentary focuses on the peripheral (how he reacts in a press conference), what a 'panel of experts think' or random statistics (Ireland has never beaten NZ in 103 years etc) and not the method/approach being taken to succeed. Clearly Cheika is taking an iterative approach - not making assumptions on combinations because people have always played there. He has the courage to weather the media storm/backlash and make some obvious wrong decisions in the pursuit of a winning formula - because the reality is what ever was done prior wasn't enough to topple ABs on a regular basis. #rantover :)
Wozza
Guest
You're missing the point which I strongly agree with that Cheika's theatrics served the purpose of shielding his players from scrutiny in what has been a very difficult season. You mightn't like Cheika's theatrics and that's you right but the bottom line is people like you and I, nearly all his critics really, mean nothing in Chieka's world. And sure, Hansen wouldn't have had any strategy to irritate Cheika but he happily took every opportunity that presented itself.
John R
Roar Guru
Here's a link for said interview: http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/wallabies-coach-michael-cheika-opens-up-on-the-wallabies-and-the-future-of-australian-rugby/news-story/ba82ddc61202947885a3fe7e742735cd
John R
Roar Guru
It can appear that way. But I prefer to give him more credit than that. In the full interview he did with Jamie Pandaram he mentions that he only really played the French guys against the AB's because he wanted to give his long serving stalwarts one last shot at a Bledisloe, before starting to introduce some younger talent.
John R
Roar Guru
Definitely a fair bit of cherry picking on account of some of Cheika's detractors. But fair enough, it cuts both ways with Hansen's detractors too.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Some of my best friends are clowns. No harm in that. Are Coleman and Arnold really planks, as article claims?
Phil
Guest
Pot?Black?
Phil
Guest
You say,by accident,but maybe he was just bringing them along slowly.After all,he did select them in his squad.Throwing them all in early might have also meant they get thrown out early.I know it's hard,but please give Cheika some credit,he's definitely not stupid.
Alex Wood
Roar Guru
Here here! Thanks Mr McGregor, well-written piece and very much along the lines of the message I've been trying to convey of late. It baffles me that certain media 'experts' seem to think Cheika is a bull-headed moron who waltzed into the role on account of getting lucky by winning the major Northern and Southern Hemisphere tournaments within the space of a few years... Michael Cheika is a very intelligent individual and, like many intelligent individuals, he understands that the character he portrays needs to serve a purpose. Yes, he's straight-talking, no BS and at times a bit hot-tempered (incidentally all characteristics of people with high EQ) but some of it is pantomime as well - perhaps to draw media attention off his players, perhaps to instil the requisite amount of respect and much more likely because he knows, over all, it's best for the Wallabies. Really looking forward to the rest of the Spring tour, bring it on!