Michael Cheika won’t be bullied into change as he attempts to revive the spluttering Wallabies before next year’s World Cup.
Australia slipped to a record low of seventh in the world rankings after last Saturday’s loss to Argentina on the Gold Coast.
They sit bottom of the Rugby Championship ladder ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Springboks in South Africa, where victory has alluded them since 2011.
Rugby Australia are reportedly considering appointing a former player such as George Gregan or John Eales as an independent voice to assist the head coach.
But Cheika denied any knowledge of that when asked for his opinion on arrival in Port Elizabeth, adding criticism of a coach’s methods was par for course and shouldn’t be a motivation for upheaval.
“Part of it is understanding when the right time is to move the dial, not to be too stubborn, and move the dial sometimes when things get to a certain situation,” he said.
“You’ve got to understand exactly what it is that you need to move before you just move to appease others.
“There’s a difference between moving to appease others and moving to actually get the outcome that you want.”
Cheika referenced Collingwood’s surprise AFL grand final berth, after finishing last season in 13th, in making his point.
“I think the year we won the European Cup with Leinster (in 2009), six months before everyone was saying ‘you’ve got to give that guy (Cheika) the boot’,” he said.
“They wanted to cut (Magpies coach) Nathan Buckley’s head off last year didn’t they and he’s in a grand final this week. That’s the way it goes.
“It’s about who holds their nerve.”
The coach said memories of the Gold Coast humbling hadn’t scarred them but they all knew they had to improve.
“I agree totally that we are inconsistent,” he said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t go right, does it? You can’t cry about it.
“I know everyone loves to look back because you can pick the bones out of that, whether it’s positive or negative.
“The real art is to look forward because that’s all that counts – that next game.”
The clash at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be the Wallabies’ first in the southern coastal city since 1963.
Rickster
Roar Rookie
Pies last year, after another unsuccessful year, put in process whereby everything was put on the table for review, including coaching and management. They did not keep hitting their heads against the wall with the same plan. They changed and have been successful. Complete opposite situation to what MC is promoting... stay the course and all will be well. Bad comparison made by MC!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I don't think we looked like the better team against Scotland. We looked utterly incompetent after the first half. Slipper's ridiculous intercept when trying to play flyhalf and Foley's inexplicably incompetent charge down when under no pressure that resulted in two Scotland tries made it pretty hard to argue that we looked the better team.
Bunratty c
Roar Rookie
Yes. Perhaps, according to the Peter principle theory, he has reached his highest level of incompetence.
Ex force fan
Guest
It needs to get much worst before NSW will be forced to let go of their stranglehold of RA to allow so serious reform of RA governance structure to materialize. I also hope for a couple of more losses as a win will just entrench the already narrow NSW interest that is the reason why Rugby is in decline in Australia. The coach is the least of our problems in the clown department as he is not totally incompetent.
Dan in Devon
Guest
Buckley was willing to change and the football club recognised that a change was needed in the football department. The Pies move to a handball/ possession dominated game enable them the mitigate their poor foot skills and to eliminate easy turnovers. Doe Cheika have the nous to try a different game plan? Does the RA have the will or resources to change the coaching department ? And does Cheika have the faith and vision to remake his centres and halves?
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
It is so sad that these three are wearing Wallaby Gold. That jersey meant something a few years ago, and now we give it to any tom, dick or harry.
Redsfan1
Guest
All true but I'm sick of people referencing this Scotland referee decision. Australia had outscored Scotland 5 tries to 3 that game and had been looking the better team for the 80 minutes. They had also knocked out England, Wales and best Argentina. People really need to get over that Scotland call.
piru
Roar Rookie
You don't have time to be watching AFL mate, get your act together
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I think we will lose the next two tests, but I think Clown will be around until the RWC next year. The ARU have no idea and seem content to play the fiddle whilst Rome burns.
Doctordbx
Guest
Loser.
Boggles the Mind
Guest
I hope we lose the next two tests. That should be the end of Chuckles Cheikas horrendous tenure as Coach. Fingers Crossed.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah the Pies were in a continual downward spiral under Buckley. He took over at the top and they went down the ladder each year. But still, I hate the Pies being in the Grand Final because it legitimizes the idea of dumping the better part of a decade into decline in the hope of a pay off. That's just ludicrous to me.
Jockstrap
Roar Rookie
Yeah Ned, Tim Robertson and Nick Phipps keep winning us matches. What a bench we have
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
The statements by Cheika give serious proof to the fact that he has lost the plot. The Pies are a different situation. Down and came up in 12 months but the Wallabies have been on a downward spiral since 2015; the RWC was an aberration resulting from Link's tenure and the case of a referee decision going to the Wallabies instead of Scotland. A downward trend in the number of wins each year are the result of 3 years of a lack of planning and development by Cheika with an abnormal attraction to poor selections, selection of players out of position, continuation of playing out of form players, no development of replacements in all positions. The only positive, but it may not decrease the negatives, is the removal of Cheika. Similarly if Cheika goes, Larkham and Gray must also go. If Cheika stays, then firstly Larkham and Gray must go. But adding Gregan or Eales will achieve nothing. Cheika will not listen. And neither has been a Coach. There needs to be a selection body and on this RA must act.
Hertryk
Roar Rookie
One of the secrets to the AB's success according to the book "The Jersey" is consistency! In the coaching staff and everyone involved with getting the team where they are today, and needless to say "PASSION FOR THAT JERSEY" Players have turned down very lucrative offers overseas to continue to wear "the jersey". Also in the book what motivates most players from other international teams is money..nothing else.. how much is it worth to them??. You won't get that commitment and passion for "the jersey" from any other team apart from the ABs. It is inbred from birth. Good Luck Cheika I think you are fighting a lost battle!
ethan
Guest
My thoughts exactly. He sells himself incredibly well. But a win would sell him better.
Steve Schwarz
Guest
"But Cheika denied any knowledge of that when asked for his opinion on arrival in Port Elizabeth, adding criticism of a coach’s methods was par for course and shouldn’t be a motivation for upheaval." Cheika is correct in what he says. However, when a "coach's methods" are combined with an inability to deliver a moderately-positive outcome (to my mind, 15-19-2 since and including 2016, and 2-5-0 this year is not a very good score sheet for a tier 1 team) and the same methods are used time and time again hoping for a different result (isn't that the metaphorical definition of "insanity"?) one would not be seen to be too harsh in questioning if Cheika's statement is simply a desperate grasp at justifying the failure of the Wallabies. I truly hope that he has a "grand plan" at play here ... but from what I've seen so far, if he does then it has been masterfully hidden from view.
Gonzo
Guest
Stop listening to Cheika, he is only good at marketing.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“The real art is to look forward because that’s all that counts – that next game.” Yes and No. Yes, the real art is to look forward. But No, the next game is not ALL that counts. For what also counts read any Wallaby article on the Roar. But in a nutshell, development. Firstly, development of the correct prospects in key positions who fulfill the well- rounded expectations of that position, and Secondly, development of tactical dexterity (possible only when the players are fulfilling their respective roles) The ‘next game’ mentality has not allowed enough forward planning. Apart from ‘who is our best 2,6,8,10 and 13?’, There is the equally crucial question ‘who are our best back ups in those positions?’ The next game is not all that matters.