Master motivator Michael Cheika has revealed his own inspiration as he resorts to brainwashing the Wallabies into believing they can conquer the mighty All Blacks and finally return to the Bledisloe Cup to Australia.
Subscribing to the “disagree and commit” mantra made famous by billionaire Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Cheika has dismissed Australia’s diabolical start to the Super Rugby season as “insignificant” in the context of genuine trans-Tasman supremacy.
Any optimism might seem fanciful after 15 years of trans-Tasman heartache and a collective none-from-12 strike rate for Australia’s five provincial teams this season against Kiwi powerhouses.
But Cheika has emerged from a three-day camp upbeat after indoctrinating his Wallabies into believing that – against all odds – they can bring down the world champions in this year’s three-Test series.
“Our players are getting heavily criticised at the moment around their performances and I want to make them believe in themselves,” he said.
And that’s exactly what Cheika did this week when he assembled a 48-man train-on squad.
“Sometimes that’s what happens – your performance is down and you’ve got to get out of it and we want to help them with that, to get those guys back into form,” he said.
Cheika is heartened by the coaches of the Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels pulling together and pushing the Wallaby ideal.
“That’s what we’ve got to do more of. I’ve seen a lot of everyone throwing grenades left, right and centre and that’s not going to help rugby here at all,” he said.
“I also know how quickly it can change as well because I’ve been there.
“The year we won the European Cup (with Leinster), there was a game we played in the south of France that we lost, we played pretty average and chaps were calling for my head.
“Sometimes it goes pear-shaped (but), not even three months later, we were European champions.
“You’ve got to believe in people and believe in what they’re going to do.
“So I believe in my staff and we believe with our other coaches that are with the state teams, they believe in their players, we believe in their players and together we do that.”
Cheika understands why Wallabies fans might be despairing, but is hopeful his dogged commitment to vibrant ball-in-hand rugby can restore hope for long-suffering supporters.
“We’ve got a certain way we’re going to play in the jersey this year,” he said.
“We toyed around with a couple of things last year in what we looked at, and tested a few things, and we’re very clear on how we want to play and the cause we want to play for.
“We went around and saw everyone about that at the start of the year and we reinforced it now because maybe some of the points haven’t been picked up with the Wallaby group of players.
“That doesn’t mean that you just jettison those ideas because that’s what we do too much of. I’m not letting this go.
“This is what we’re doing. This is how we’re going to perform on the field or these are the things that we’re looking for.
“I’m just not going to let it go. I’m never going to let it go until we play like that.”
P2R2
Roar Rookie
Hope hope hope, usual utterances...yes I and many other AB supporters always give the WBs credit and respect..as do the ABs....but your hoping the ABs get injuries from the Lions series is another wishful hope that you believe will give the WBs some hope...enough of hope pleeez?
Kelefua
Guest
There's decent players in all the Aussie Super teams that will collectively challenge the ABs for sure. Given the Lions tour who know's what AB team will front up against Wallabies with potential injuries etc. Btw didn't see where Chieka mentioned ABs & what he did say is normal positive PR from any national coach.
Homer J
Guest
Does anyone know who went to this training camp? All i have seen is that Ned Hanigan went but there isnt a list anywhere.
Dcnz
Guest
I understand the team is doing unbelievable things in training sessions.
ClarkeG
Guest
This article is about motivation of the Wallabies which is the content that he has specifically commented on in this instance. Of course there would be much more other content going on in the Roar and other platforms that he might or might not be interested in.
Hype
Guest
???? He isnt due to get another good touch for quite awhile now statisticaly speaking. Great to see him do well against such poor opposition. Injury is just around the corner
Jock Cornet
Guest
There should be an ARU enquiry why our players are so crap at the moment when there is so much money flying around. I've never seen So many crap players playing for the wallabies. Hence why the crowds for internationals will be terrible this year. Remember when wallabies could tackle and attack, now it is not a pre requisite.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Eagle - No need to get personal, you're better than that.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
He wouldn't make it there in the first place
double agent
Guest
The QC of the 2011 Super comp looked like the best player in the world at the time. Put plenty of bums on seats. I just wished he'd been able to play like that consistently at test level.
Fox
Roar Guru
Unfortunately we got the same guff form Cheika last year, just packaged differently. The cold hard truth is he has nowhere else to go, and with fans losing their enthusiasm and faith in the game here let lone the Wallabies, the brief from the ARU is 'chin up boys lets stay positive and all that chaps" I do not blame Cheika -but we heard this last year and as bloggers have already pointed out - the Australian franchises are in worse shape in more ways than one this season.The real worry is, SA looks to be on the up with the Stormers, Lions and Sharks all playing better this year. The other thing to consider, is the AB's will have had the best preparation with Lion Tour so they will be battle hardened and well drilled, and some, after that tour. Unfortunately Cheika can talk it up allhe wants - as he always does - but the real proof is in the pudding and right now Australian rugby is behind NZ rugby in terms of depth of class as are the or coaching staff - Byrne exempted - but Nathan Grey v Wayne ( the Professor) Smith as defense coach is like comparing a bull with a calf. I do not like the state Australian rugby is in - it is not good for the game at all - but I am not going to window dress it either just to make people fell better. I unfortunately think the Wallabies will be battling it out with the Pumas for the wooden spoon in the Rugby Championship based on what I see so far and I doubt that I am alone.
double agent
Guest
Yes I get sick of hearing it. But to be fair to Cheika what else can he say?
double agent
Guest
I think if Foley played behind an All Black pack he would be a much better player.
Kitch
Guest
Didnt he say pretty much the same last year, that he wasn't worried about the Aussie teams super form?
Ryan
Roar Rookie
As an abs fan I don't want to drop a test vs anybody, so bugger the world - the world champions will go undefeated this year! #WinnersAreGrinners
Ryan
Roar Rookie
You don't have a five eighth that could match the 4th best in the same pozy from NZ.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
As a kiwi, I actually want Cheika to coach the wbs forever - his record against us speaks for itself.
Chivas
Guest
Unfortunately you only get to play the worst team in the comp a couple of times at most. So putting on a display against them would hardly be enough to put bums on seats.. even with QC love running strong in banjo land.
Kaizer
Roar Rookie
Injuries are a certainty, but there is a canyon size gap between NZ and us. They have depth and and are extremely deep in every position. We may play a lesser opponent in terms of skills and speed but if we were to take a few hits in the casualty ward, we would struggle to win a single game against them. Talking to a few of my kiwi mates, they all seem to believe that Reece Hodge is our best player to wear the 10 jersey. I tend to agree with all their points. Great defender, ball playing skills and a direct runner with great running lanes. Can kick a mile and a knack for breaking the line or getting over the advantage line. They maybe onto something.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
What, was QC taking the Mickey today when he set up a length of the field try with a width of the field kick off a penalty today? Queensland rugby couldn't pay him enough for that Mate, that is just the sort of thing we need to get bums on seats!