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It doesn’t matter what Bill Pulver, or any other member of the ARU says, Michael Cheika is not only the best possible Wallaby coach, but there are no contenders among the Australian Super Rugby sides – and never again will a foreigner be in charge of the Wallabies.
That doesn’t mean Cheika has an open book, but he’s heading in the right direction.
Pulver and co should concentrate on lifting the club rugby status in NSW, Queensland, and the ACT to what it was pre-professional, a vibrant sea of quality footballers who attracted solid club support week in, week out.
Horses for courses – Pulver and co. do their job, and let Cheika do his.
So rather then point the finger of scorn at Cheika for his six wins from 15 starts this year, recognise a fact of life. He hasn’t the cattle, especially where it counts – between the ears.
And Cheika is doing a great job in achieving depth in his squad, even if the quality isn’t street smart, there’s no caviare from sows ears.
Yet there are 45 who have pulled on the coveted gold jersey in the last two years, creating depth rarely seen.
Take the five best-performed Wallaby teams since World War 2 – the 1947-48 tour of Britain, Ireland, and France, the 1963 Wallabies in South Africa, the 1984 Wallaby Grand Slam champions, and the Wallaby 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cup wins.
Here’s Cheika’s problem.
Pick the best team out of those tours, and only David Pocock and Israel Folau of the current players would rate a mention – just two.
Will Genia is a superb footballer, but even he would happily salute Ken Catchpole, Nick Farr-Jones, John Hipwell, and Cyril Burke.
But that’s it, three at a pinch to be in a combined side over 71 years.
The key to the following combined selections is their automatic ability to see what’s in front of them, and react accordingly and instantly.
There was no Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C on either of those tours – there was an overall plan that was left to the individuals natural ability to play it as they saw it – ‘rugby brains’ best describes their thinking:
1 – Jon White (1958-85 – 24 caps) – The prince of props whose scrummaging and general play was right off the top shelf.
2 – Peter Johnson (1959-72 – 42) – The best hooker-forward I’ve seen, and in the days of amateurism was a pure pro.
3 – Topo Rodriguez (1984-87 – 26) – Played 13 Tests for Argentina before he migrated to Australia, couldn’t speak a word of English on arrival, but his propping language was respected worldwide.
4 – John Eales – captain (1991-01 – 86) – There’s no argument he’s an all-time great lock, an inspirational captain, and a champion goal-kicker. He had everything.
5 – Rob Heming (1961-67 – 28) – In the days before lifting in the lineouts was legalised, he was the supreme lineout jumper who could easily clap his hands over the crossbar from a standing start.
6 – Simon Poidevin (1980-91 – 59) – The red-headed terror terrorised backlines for his entire career, highlighted by legendary confrontations with All Blacks Cowboy Shaw and Andy Haden where a lot of blood was spilled.
7 – David Pocock (2008-current – 66) – He is so talented Cheika has used him at six and eight, but his best work is at open-side flanker where he’s world class.
8 – Col Windon (1946-52 – 20) – He was such an all-rounder he could play anywhere in the back three with his dangerous running, and ferocious defence.
9 – Ken Catchpole – Vice-captain (1961-68 – 27) – The greatest half-back in history with bullet passes to supports 20 metres away, always in front and naval height, as well as being a superb defender, and a sensational reader of the game.
10 – Mark Ella (1980-84 – 25) – The greatest pivot of all-time who scored a try in each of the four 1984 Grand Slam successes, he was mercurial and could find holes in Fort Knox. He retired at 25 after 25 caps, what a tragic waste.
11 – Brendan Moon (1978-86) – One of the very best finishers to pull on boots, very quick with a side-step-swerve either way, poetry in motion.
12 – Tim Horan (1989-2000 – 80) – Player of the tournament when the Wallabies won the 1999 Rugby World Cup as well as being instrumental in winning the 1991 World Cup, a probing penetrative centre with devastating defence.
13 – Trevor Allan (1946-49 – 14 – A powerhouse attacking and ballistic defending centre who wore headgear, became the youngest Wallaby captain at 19 when Bill McLean broke his leg early on the 1947-48 Wallaby tour of Britain, Ireland, and France.
14 – David Campese (1982-1996 – 101) – Australia’s greatest winger with a famous goose-step that left opponents grasping at thin air, scored a world record 64 Test tries until it was beaten by Japan’s Daisuke Ohata who played against Tier 3 countries.
15 – Israel Folau (2013-current – 51) – Imagine this sensational footballer chiming into a backline of Catchpole, Ella, Horan, Allan, with wingers Campese and Moon. Every game would be Christmas for Folau, and the Wallabies He’s a wasted talent at the moment, the current crop doesn’t know how to utilise him, bring back Kurtley Beale in a hurry.
Bench
16 – Phil Kearns (1989-99 – 62) – a huge man for a hooker, but his strength and speed around the park made him a force to be reckoned with.
17 – Ewen McKenzie (1990-97 – 51) – Melbourne-born and Scotch College-schooled, he became an institution as a Wallaby prop, very quick over the ground for a big bloke, and a strong scrummager.
18 – Andy McIntyre (1982-89 – 38) – Instrumental prop in the Wallabies winning the Grand Slam, his scrummaging was strong as well, while his general play often won possession.
19 – Steve Cutler (1982-91 – 40) – A long and lanky lock, he copped a hiding every game he played but never shirked his lineout nor general play duties, very much the team man..
20 – George Smith – (2000-09 – 110) – Very hard to leave him out of the starting lineup, he was an 80-minute footballer who featured every game in attack and defence.
21 – Nick Farr-Jones (1984-93 – 63) – An inspirational 1991 Rugby World Cup-winning skipper whose sole purpose was lighting fast service from set and general play to support solid defence.
22 – Michael Lynagh (1984-1995 – 72) – Was the world points-scoring record holder with 911 when he retired. and vice-captain of the 1991 World Cup side, at home at either fly-half or inside centre, a superb footballer.
23 – Matthew Burke (1883-2004 – 81) – Another points-scoring machine with 878, and an integral part of the 1999 World Cup winning side, at home in either the centres, or fullback.
In 23 Wallabies, 13 captains – Trevor Allan, Col Windon, Ken Catchole, Peter Johnson, Mark Ella, Simon Poidevin, Michael Lynagh, Nick Farr-Jones, Phil Kearns, John Eales, Tim Horan. George Smith, and David Pocock.
What a side.