When Michael Cheika took over the Wallabies in 2014 he was keen to emphasise that he wanted to give Australia a team to be proud of.
As quickly as the Wallabies charged into the World Cup final the following year at Twickenham, Cheika said pride wasn’t enough – and of course, he wanted to knock over the All Blacks and take home ‘Bill’.
The Wallabies were consistently on the back foot in the decider and were soundly beaten 34-17 by a classy and dominant Kiwi side, who many labelled the most complete team in the game’s long history.
Australia’s tournament included an enormous defensive effort against Wales in their pool clash, memorable for a seven-minute stint when the Wallabies had only 13 on the field.
They were white-hot against England, also at Twickenham, in a comprehensive victory that seemed impossible given the turmoil around Ewen McKenzie’s exit as Wallabies coach less than a year earlier.
Australia were sloppy against Scotland in the quarter-final but found a way – albeit with a bit of fortune – to sneak a win with a last-minute penalty goal from Bernard Foley.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
The semi-final triumph over Argentina was mostly a grind but for Drew Mitchell’s slashing run that led to Adam Ashley-Cooper’s match-sealing try.
Were Wallabies fans proud even after a comprehensive loss in the final? There’s little doubt that the vast majority were, especially as most weren’t overflowing with optimism leading into the tournament.
The problem with the ambition of chasing popularity through pride is that it’s severely limiting if you don’t get enough wins along the way.
Wallabies fans have found a way to deal with the constant Bledisloe Cup failures and beating the Springboks in South Africa, England in London and Ireland in Dublin are always arduous assignments.
But big blowouts to the All Blacks won’t elicit pride from Wallabies fans.
A home series whitewash to England doesn’t either, or a home Test loss to Scotland and even a series defeat to the Irish – despite their number two world ranking – is also hard to cop when on Aussie soil.
If Cheika’s stocks were sliding, they were plummeting after last month’s loss to Argentina on the Gold Coast – the Wallabies’ first defeat to the Pumas at home in 35 years.
So now pride from Wallabies fans will only come with victory in Salta this weekend. There’s no allowance now for a gutsy defeat all within the context of building towards next year’s World Cup.
No Wallabies fan wants to be served more platitudes about positive signs but a lack of execution; building pressure but failing to finish off; creating opportunities but not making it count.
Sometimes it seems Cheika is aiming to bring about pride by being entertaining, that an expansive game plan is both the bolted-on Australian way and even in defeat, the fans will appreciate the ambition.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
But what’s wrong with winning ugly every now and again? Why not roll through phase play by keeping it close, sharp and physical?
As bad as the lineout has been, why not kick for the corners and try to build some confidence through field position?
Why not slow it down in attack if it means lining Israel Folau and Dane Haylett-Petty up on some of Argentina’s props and they can use their footwork and acceleration to break the line?
Going side to side didn’t work against the Boks last week. It seemed like an admission that the Wallabies pack couldn’t go toe to toe with Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The number of lead runners and long wide passes seemed way over the top, especially given it usually failed to create space. Last year’s Bledisloe win was one Wallabies fans could be proud of, and it was memorable for their physicality.
Cheika needs a win and Wallabies fans won’t care how it’s done. Make it no frills. Don’t bother with the fancy. Only with victory in Salta will pride have a chance to flourish.
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Most complete game that is...
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
The Don, The Don is almost spot on. Swap Timu and Pocock and that is close the best side from who is on tour. Add Gordon to the bench in place of Phipps and we are are getting close. I admire Phipps as he plays well above his talent and Powell.s pass is slick but Gordon can attack, and has the most simplest game. Not sure on Rodda but he is very young still. Is he the scrummaging lock that Arnold isn’t ?
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
2 wins out of 10games so far Cheika must go win or loss he has done so much damage to rugby in this country by constantly pick the same players in key positions and not let other to develop
Hearditallbefore
Guest
Mate the problem is - who cares anymore? What a rabble - I do t blame the players - they don’t pick themselves (although I reckon a couple have some blackmail photos). The coach is a stubborn headed human and if anyone is still watching then you probably still believe that the LNP govern for all the people. RIP Wallanies Rugby
Phil
Guest
Powell the constant tourist gets punted because he needs more game time apparently. Why wasn’t he given game time instead of Phipps? Now Gordon goes on a non playing overseas tour, just when he was in outstanding NRC form. This is how Cheika develops new players? What a joke.
Rob Illidge
Roar Rookie
I walked out of the Sydney game against the Poms a couple of years ago. It was all written then and hasn’t changed. I didn’t consider even going to Bledisloe despite free ride in a box I won’t stay up to watch OS games and turned off all the home ones before full time. I played for the Wicks, with Cheika. He doesn’t have the skill or temperament to do any better. I’m done.
Trebla
Guest
Yes yes and yes to your 15. My only point of difference is in the centres. I like Hodge at 12, and maybe a conventional 13 like Kurandrani. Toomua and Foley can compete for 10 as they are currently our best options until a young guy comes along. And thank you for putting Beale at 15, so obviously his best position. I have been boring my friends for years talking about this. I also would give Hooper a break and see how the pack goes.
Rocky
Guest
Ledesma said Cheika is more dangerous under pressure, and expecting a realmente tough game. Will see
Richard
Guest
Thanks for posting your article Will. Unfortunately praying for a win to restore something along the lines of hope kind of sums up where we are at. A win would be great and we all want to see the team win and string together some victories regardless of whether it is ugly or flash. But I kind of think that even a win is a bit of false hope because it masks huge problems. I sincerely hope I am wrong and we see the start of a winning run.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d be happy with a close loss to England. We match up really badly with this England side and will lose convincingly. I’ll be there to see it
ToSlowToCatchTheWinger
Guest
Right with you there Jigbon and DA. RA and Cheika seem oblivious to the number of 50 year rusted-ons like us falling by the wayside. In what universe do you punt a world class 7 to somewhere else to make way for a seagull whose only jobs are to cuddle up to a winger, wait for the speculator and turn down penalty shots to get you back into the game?
Long time fan
Guest
Followed them since they played in green jerseys in the 50. So disappointed now, worst wallaby team I have seen.
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
100% agree Will. Let's get back to the simple things. Kick for territory. If anybody runs it out of the 22 they should be benched immediately. Pick and goes from the piggies and some hard running on the inside shoulder to straighten the attack. Couple of grubbers/chips to keep the rush defence honest. Slow it down and crush them in the scrum (like the ABs did last week). Then and only then go wide.
mtiger
Roar Rookie
I am not even native to Australia. But I have been supporting Wallabies, for the longest time. It is difficult to support a team coached like this.
The Tight Arsed Scotsman
Roar Rookie
Jake ball looks bloody good to me these days. I don’t think any of us conceived that we could be so poor.
double agent
Guest
I agree Jigbon. They need to get hammered so we can get rid of Cheika now. We can't wait much longer to find his replacement. I'm not too fussed who it is that takes over. Anyone would be better. Just not Larkham.
double agent
Guest
Ned Hannigan has 16 caps. I think Brett Papworth got 16 caps too. One of them is one of the best players you'll ever see.
Loxie
Guest
Unfortunately you just wrote Sunday morning headline. Insanity continues unabated, not a single lesson learned. A hiding over the weekend is your sign the players have had enough...I suspect thats exactly what we will get.
Felix Sirimanne
Roar Rookie
WOW!! Superb!!! WELL SAID,
Felix Sirimanne
Roar Rookie
Good selection. Pocock still at 8??? Do we have a 8 any where in Australia??Bring back Gill or McMahon or fast track Dempsey to 6 & move Timu to 8???Hooper on the bench Definitely!! & NOT CAPTAIN!! Cheika will be remebered for THIS blunder!!