Cheika up for crack at Eddie's England

Of course, any right thinking person knows the 'colonial history' thing is either very poorly thought out or a complete red herring for the real motivation. For example, why not the same feelings towards the French? They had the same colonial ambitions in places like North America, Africa and the Pacific. The only difference was they a. weren't as 'good' at it and b. achieved the same negatives but left fewer positives; unless you count being able to get a decent coffee and great bread at least somewhere in the Pacific Islands, like New Caledonia. At least the British gave the Indian subcontinent railways (still more reliable than their airlines) and a big chunk of the world a legal system. And while we're on the subject of the British empire, why not the same vitriol towards the Scots, Welsh and to a lesser extent, the Irish? And since people like you still want to talk about colonial 'history', what about the Italians?!!! Seem to remember they had a decent crack at subjugation too. Or are we forgiving them for the odd useful viaduct and the straight bit of road no one uses anymore? Personally, I always thought Woodward was too accommodating, too scared to bruise sensitive egos, too timid in case he caused offence. Same for the players in that great team. Damned if they did and damned when they didn't.

Cheika should add a few words at the end of his speech "We'll take a lot of out of tonight's loss and move forward into the Abyss"... Maybe people will start liking him for his honesty and maturity

Cheika should just keep his mouth shut cos mostly likely outcome is ....... England win by at least 20 with Pocock playing. A 40 point plus win to England without Pocock playing. Beale starting again would be a disaster. He's been poor all of 2018 but then Cheika's selections are mostly a disaster the past 2 years imo.

Looking forward to this game!

Their success was certainly a factor. But I can’t say I felt the same about Jones’ England’s phenomenal, unbeaten streak which included a whitewash against the Wallabies at home. I honesty, I think it was mostly the (perception of the) demeanour of Woodward that grated and seemed to permeate the character of the team. There’s nothing objective about it - I’ve never met the man or any of the England players of the time. It was just good, old fashioned partisanship. But then, when I say I disliked England and their coach. What I’m really saying is that I loved playing them, that I was emotionally invested in the outcome, that the pre-and-post match banter and posturing with my English mates had a spice that only good natured tribalism gives you. Even though the Australian team post-Macqeen / Eales had fallen away significantly, they still felt like Australia’s best team, and who doesn’t love a villain to throw eggs at (particularly one who “couldn’t give a rat’s wobbly bits” as you have so elegantly described). England and Woodward supplied that. This Wallabies team isn’t Australia’s best and the biggest villains are our own intractable trainwreck of a coach and the amateurish administration that enables and validates him. It’s hard to feel anything for the opposition when one already feels scant connection or emotional investment with their own team.

The reason Woodward's teams weren't popular is A) England B) Woodward England aren't a team that inspires much support among neutrals as it is, colonial history and all - plus they've not played a traditionally aesthetically popular style of play. Add in a self aggrandising ego maniac with a penchant for corporate motivational and PR speak and it was never going to be a good match. I thought he was a bit dislikeable when he was winning, his petulant comments when he started losing confirmed my suspicions.

Yep, totally right NB. Jason Robinson absolutely sits in that group.

It’s time for Cheika to display a degree of maturity; Twickenham is the kind of environment the Wallabies will experience at the WRC. He needs to stand up and act like a senior coach with credibility. Playing the English in their back yard will never deliver a positive result if the team focus on the scrutiny and media analysis that most English sports reporters engage in. This responsibility starts with Cheika and the senior player group otherwise Jones and the wolf pack will reduce any endeavour to a spectacle.

I think the reason Woodward and his team were so unpopular was, partly, because they kept winning, but mostly when Kiwis and Aussies started giving them the usual stick about being ‘arrogant and boring’ instead of being defensive like previous England teams, they made it clear they couldn’t give a rat’s wobbly bits about the BS coming out of the south. Appalling behavior on their part, obviously.

I think you forgot Jason Robinson there mate.

Whilst hate is a strong word, I strongly disliked the England team of the Clive Woodward years (with the notable exceptions of Jonny Wilkinson and Richard Hill whose singular professionalism and immense talent transcended shoddy national tribalism). England became difficult to dislike under guys like Ashton and Bomber Lancaster (less dangerous of course as well). And, like him or otherwise, Jones’ madcap theatre and muscular, sarcastic armwrestle with the RFU, Fleet Street and pretty much anyone who happens to walk across his crosshairs is absolutely transfixing.

Has Cheika got his after match v England press conference speech ready? Here we go. "We'll take a lot of positives out of tonight's loss & move forward". YAWN.

There is no rivalry between Jones and Cheika. Rivalry implies parity or close to it. Jones has it all over Cheika.

Not just the English, Michael. Lots of Aussies don't rate you either.

He's definitely on crack

Lucky enough to time a business trip at the same time as AUS v England at Twickenham. My most prominent memory was the good nature of the crowd - before, during and after.

Wallabies no chance of a win unless Thor Genia Pocock Toomua Coleman and Kerevi have absolute blinders, the rest of the team are just making up the numbers.

Love the scrumpy down there. Mate, settle down - just a bit of banter. I will cop it all week at work and the week after. Would I be living here if they really hated us ?

Agree - while there is rivalry , there is no hate. Been attending wallaby matches at Twickenham for last 10 years, great atmosphere, and great fans on both sides having a good time and beers post match.

Sorry Dan, but you've been seduced by the Devonian six-digit 'salute'. There is no hate. Just in your head. And Cheika's too. See a doctor. Or avoid the scrumpy hard stuff.