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Before reading this article, let me make something clear: I’m writing this piece before tonight’s Wallabies match against the Springboks so that I can’t be accused of being part of the pack.
With that in mind, I make the following forecast.
I hope none of the above comes to pass, in particular a sound defeat. For the record I have supported – that is, I have paid good money to attend – Wallabies test matches for almost 40 years, and that includes some occasional offshore sorties.
I am pretty much done with the Wallabies and in particular with Michael Cheika. In an interesting piece in the Saturday Sydney Morning Herald ahead of the Boks test Cheika is quoted extensively by Tom Decent. My take on Cheika’s comments is basically ‘I know and the lads know where we are headed, and although things aren’t going 100 per cent our way, we know best’.
In short, you can all get stuffed.
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
This is a large part of the Cheika conundrum. We are well advanced in a siege mentality, which suits Cheika and his personality. We know he is abrasive. He was renowned in his playing days for being Randwick’s enforcer. His demeanour and basic instincts have not changed or varied.
The current criticism of his performance has produced a number of responses from Cheika, including invoking the ‘Buckley’ defence, namely that Nathan Buckley, despite having a very poor 2017 year in charge of Collingwood, was backed by club president Eddie McGuire and made the grand final this year.
But what in fact happened was that Collingwood undertook a very comprehensive end-of-season review in 2017. Buckley received some strong messages, not least of which related to his personal demeanour in and around the players and supporters. In 2018 the AFL experts have observed a material change in his manner, and not just since Collingwood got on a roll.
He has lightened up, he has relaxed, he has relinquished and/or delegated powrr to his assistants, a number of whom were replaced after 2017. Are you getting the picture?
Cheika is apparently a protected species so far as Rugby Australia is concerned. He believes, maybe correctly, that they need him more than he needs them. He gives the appearance of not listening to anyone, especially anyone critical or questioning of him.
I suggest Cheika’s one-dimensional approach to coaching, his lack of creativity, his blind commitment to certain favoured sons, the chronic lack of basic skills – most of the Wallabies backline appears incapable of passing on their wrong side – the persistently poor defence of our national team and the lack of accountability all make a powerful case for sacking Cheika. Remember that Cheika took over as head coach 12 months before the last World Cup, so that reason for not sacking him does not play.
At this stage I really don’t care who takes over so long as it is not either of the assistants. Of course this will not happen and our national team and hence rugby in Australia generally will become further diminished and decreasingly relevant in the national sporting scene. Tragic.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.