Time's up for the Cheika dictatorship

Sport is 90% the top two inches. The second half of the Sydney game is a perfect example of that. The AB's top two inches was overwhelmed by a signal that told it "Mission Accomplished". When the AB's top 2" turned off in the last half hour, they went from scoring a point a minute to Australia beating them. What better evidence can you get than that off the importance of the head space? Returning from SA affects the body and you're right, that isn't really an excuse. But being told three days before a test that you were or weren't going to the RWC absolutely will affect that top two inches. There is a lot of work done with mental strength these days, but that was an absolutely ridiculous decision to announce so close to a test match. It'd be like finishing a session of your arachnophobia treatment and then being thrown into a giant spider web. In the 2015 RC decider, there can be no doubt the AB's played like they did in the last half hour of the 2017 Sydney test. In both cases they had switched off. Only in 2015, it was for the full match. Now the power of the mind has been explained, let's return to the essence of this article which is Cheika must go. The undeniable fact fact of the matter is Chekia's record has a lot of the rub of the green to it in big matches. That is, results that were decided by something other than his team or involved outside influences. The SR final and the RWC 1/4 final results were due to universally acknowledged, appalling reffing decisions. The 2015 RC was influenced by the RWC team announcement and the scoreline of the RWC final was influenced by Nigel Owens. 2016 - 2017, those little influences have abandoned Cheika and his incompetence has been laid bare. 0-3 to England, loss to Scotland and almost Italy. All in your back yard. Had it not been for that "Mission Accomplished" signal to the brain on Saturday night, who knows what the final score might have been? I am trying to help Australian rugby. I don't want to see our trans tasman rivalry vanish. Get rid of Cheika, even if you have to bring back Robbie. At least with Robbie blaming the talent had some credibility.

Totally agree. Kerevi seriously lacked match fitness as he had no game time since he got back from injury.   But watch the wallabies defence pattern and notice how Forley and Beale would fall back each time and were shielded by the other backline who had to double up and cover up for them in defence. Like the two were protected from committing to tackles but then how do you expect the other players to be running around out of position, working overtime, to compensate for the 2 passengers hiding at the back. The same D pattern was employed when Quade played 10. If you can't tackle then better go play netball. That's why Folau was defending in the right wing and Henry was running to tackle in midfield and then had to run back out again as fast as he can to do the same, as Samu was still yet at his best hence slow off the mark. Not easy thing to do. Henry's workload eased off once Te came in the 2nd half. That just don't work on a great team like the AB because they'll punish you big time and that's exactly what happened. Effective D requires all hands on deck otherwise you're essentially putting up, in your first line of defence, a thin wall of men against the onslaught of the men in black. A rugby suicide. Most crazy and confusing defence pattern I've ever seen. Cheika selected specialist wingers into the squad and then opts for centres to play wing. Henry only played because Heylett Petty failed the test. Koroibete, like Henry, tops the stats for best wings this session but yet had to make way for Rona. Joe Powell best half back this session, but yet cannot even make the bench for Genia, whose had almost no game time and Phipps, who struggled to even make the bench for the Waratahs this season. Latu, best on form hooker this season but was considered behind Tatafu and Moore in the squad. And like you said, I can go on.. Personally it's hard to follow the logic in Cheika's thinking, most times.

Saracens have shown over and again they will take on anyone, anywhere. New York, Belgium, South Africa, even the poxy " home of association football, TM, etc", world champs, euro champs, even your precious super 12 plus a few, minus a few, token this token that league on at least one occasion. If anyone is running scared it won't be them!!

We'll never know for sure but you're wrong. No way a full strength Saracens loses by 35 points. They may lose (or win) but it would be a close match.

Now Mike, that wouldn't be a half-*rsed attempt at trolling, would it?

Skelton wouldn't make the Maori 3rd team - that's how good Saracens are! And while I am on the topic , Canterbury would bury Saracens by 35 plus points.......easy !

Different level different pace, the better players should stand out but agree its a dilemma.

wre01, You have several very good points here. Well done on your contribution. To me those press conference talks are a warm up in preparation for the next match...bla...bla...bla..neither negative nor positive, always hopeful. Too much 'spin doctoring' and 'ass-covering' protecting their pay packet. It is fantastic to be loyal to your team but they also need to perform (win) that's what ALL have been selected and paid for (professionals!). They are supposedly our best people (???). We are witnessing dishonesty and lack of integrity. Cheika should have resigned after the 0-3 vs England.

Beat me to it. England destroyed Oz lineout. The reigning euro champions, home of Englands first choice locks (and best hooker, but...) reckon Skelton is good enough to challenge for a place.

Beat me to it. England destroyed Oz lineout. The reigning euro champions, home of Englands first choice locks (and best hooker, but...) reckon Skelton is good enough to challenge for a place.

Hi Pete, Thanks for the comment. It seems to me that in an era of professionalism (21 years of it) and high-performance specialisation our rugby administrators and coaches are still behaving in an amateurish manner. Running the business of rugby is one thing where you need experienced Profesional Sports Administrators (university graduates). A rugby team needs to be handled by MANAGERS and TECHNICIANS (two completely different skills). In the 80's an international rugby touring team was comprised of 35 members. These days are comprised of almost 60 members between players and ancillary staff. Therefore, the most important skill and experience required to keep the 'show on the road' is that of an HR Director and the Head Coach, as well as other coaches, must report to the HR Director/Tour Manager/Tour Leader. Coaches have their own knowledge and 'lingo' (hence the Collegiate Group which will understand its peers) It has been proven so many times that M.Cheika has no apparent skills for people's management or conflict resolution, let alone behaving himself, a very autocratic half-leader. He should have been rein down from the beginning. Too many fallacies with the sport and its administration. Hence the monumental failure of the current administration. Cheers,

Revised rules for Modern Rugby Union The following revised rules of Rugby Union have been designed to reduce stoppages while making the game more exciting for both players and spectators. To encourage a more flowing style of play with fewer stoppages and to ensure a greater emphasis on tries rather than what are sometimes subjective referee decisions to determine the outcome of a game. Scoring: By eliminating conversions, irrespective of its proximity to the goal posts all tries will result in the same number of points. A try will be worth three points while a penalty goal and dropped goal is each worth one point. Forward pass rule eliminated by observing the offside rule: A player may project the ball forward from any part of their body including the hands. For instance, if a player receives a pass or a kick while in an offside position the offside rule will apply. In a passing movement, a player touching the ball will be deemed offside if he or she is in front of a teammate at the time that the ball leaves the teammate’s hands, body or foot. Knock on rule eliminated: Because there is no perceived advantage in knocking the ball on, the game should not be stopped by a knock on. Touch in-goal by defending team. Rather than being rewarded for defensive play by allowing a dropout from the 22-meter line, the Rugby League rule of requiring a dropout from the goal line to be taken between the posts should be adopted. Lineout: The team having the right to throw the ball in may do so from any touchline position between the point where the ball crossed the touchline and their own goal line. While the ball may be thrown in any direction (forward or backwards) the offside rule will apply if a player throws the ball directly to a teammate standing in a position that is not behind the point where the ball crossed the touchline. An opposition player may not advance beyond the point where the ball crossed the touchline as identified by the line umpire until after the ball has been thrown in. Number of players: Notwithstanding the beneficial financial viability of the professional game, a more attractive style of open rugby would be possible with fewer players on the field. Teams should be reduced to 13 players; that is, 6 forwards and seven backs. Reserves should also be limited to four to replace injured players rather than as replacements for tiring players. Brian McNiven 21 August 2017

TOPO b) National Coaches should be hired and fired by a Collegiate Group of Coaches (all Australian Representative Coaches), Evaluation, Accountability etc. should be charged to knowledgeable people, (not a CEO or ex-player). Great idea - first time I've ever seen suggested. Best wishes KP PS - big fan from Day 1 of your arrival at Wallabies - not sure when, but always believed you correlated with our turn around...pretty close to 1984, am sure of that !

Nucifora wanted to replace the older players at the Brumbies with a load of youngsters. That included Gregan and Larkham. Yes there were players that had to be replaced but to have Giteau and Henjak running the backline in their second full season of Super Rugby was madness.

I still believe Quade has a lot offer the Wallabies, but if people disagree I am also happy with Jono Lance. The bloke can defend, kick his goals and has an out of hand kicking game.

I would note that Cheika (unlike Link) operates a protection racket for his Waratah cronies and therefore won't be a target of any player revolt. Thankfully for you Brief, Cheika will be left alone to reinforce that Waratah mediocrity (or as you call it, 'fantastic rugby') permeating into the Wallabies. One can only hope that Daryl Gibson is next in line to be the Wallabies' defense coach.

Link is the answer,he was at the time and is more so now. Because it is my opinion I can give it rightly or wrongly. Any of the Players who were associated with the revolt would be playing elsewhere,they would not be wearing an Australian jumper. Any of the Board associated with the revolt and subsequent appointments would be on Bords elsewhere. If the Board as they did back player revolts it is clear the former Coach did not have support and respect due and the board had ulterior motives. If cheika and Hooper are the best appointments that the board can make they do not have their finger on the pulse and are clearly out of their depth.No one player or group of players is bigger than the game ,any Board that condones the actions of players not loyal to the brand should be dismissed.Hayne with the Titans , should be treated exactly how Abblett Snr was in the chat on the bridge with Mal as should all players with an inflated opinion of their own worth. You play for the team fullstop. DCE and Hooper look good when they can run off others they are not leaders. First under scrutiny should always be the Board.Look at Collingwood, get rid of a Premiership winning Coach to begin the slide and Eddie is still there ? Boards must be held accountable. We needed Ewen McKenzie when he was appointed ,we need him far more now.

Incorrect – Adam Ashley-Cooper scored 2 tries, it was 2 tries a piece. Also Kiwi fans also fail to acknowledge that Nemani Nadolo scored a highly dubious try, where his boot appeared to brush the sideline, but was awarded. Funny we don’t hear that mentioned in all the nonsense from Kiwis who like to suggest they waz robbed by Craig Joubert with the final penalty. As you were saying?

Very good article,..right on the money! - Enough of a super expensive second rate show May I add, the Head Coach may or may not work on skills, but it certainly is 100% responsible for having them spot on. TACKLE, SCRUM and LINEOUT are absolutely essential, can not play rugby without them! From 1984 till 1999 we had 15 glorious years. For the last 15 years (professional era) Australian Rugby has failed in a couple of very important areas: a) Very little has been done in Coaching Development (i.e. Robbie Deans hired as the best available at the time) b) National Coaches should be hired and fired by a Collegiate Group of Coaches (all Australian Representative Coaches), Evaluation, Accountability etc. should be charged to knowledgeable people, (not a CEO or ex-player). Let's stop the "Personal Authoritarian Show" (one man band) and start a democratic and competent teamwork with competent people. Cheers, TOPO

All this coach bashing when the stark reality is that we do not have the caliber of players to win against the ABs. You can rail against selection, tinker with the tactics, bemoan the style of play but it doesn't matter. There isn't a single wallabies who would be a walk up to the all black team. Maybe hooper, maybe folau - but most likely on the bench. Winter is here for Australian rugby.