With the 2018 international season now done, and the pain of watching the Wallabies ruin rugby behind us yet again, it’s time to reflect on where the Wallabies are at and the success of the coaching staff.
The job of any coach is to teach or instruct their team, so as to improve their knowledge and skills and achieve their goals. After nearly five years as Wallabies coach, it is clear to the most casual of observers that Michael Cheika is failing at this fundamental requirement of his job.
It’s hard to think of a single area in which the Wallabies have improved in the last five years of Cheika’s stewardship and obvious to see many areas in which the team has gone backwards.
It’s important to note that this is not just an article about how I wish the Wallabies were winning more. Results are hugely important absolutely, but I like many Wallabies fans, don’t mind if the Wallabies are losing quality games while playing well.
The simple fact is, that this is the most inept Wallaby team I have ever seen, in nearly every facet of the game.
Here’s a quick snapshot of some key areas.
Attack
Australia used to be renowned for their creativity and attacking flair. These days, opposing defensive coaches are probably more frightened of a wet lettuce leaf.
Put simply, the Wallabies currently look completely disjointed in attack. With the backline running moves and decoys sometimes 15-20 metres behind the advantage line, their opposition has huge amounts of time to see what is happening and shut it down.
More often, our players simply confuse themselves, overrun the pass or flat out drop the ball.
Defense
Statistically, Cheika owns the worst defensive record of any Wallabies coach ever. For all of Cheika’s talk that defence is easily fixed, and just about attitude, the Wallabies under Cheika own the three of the four worst years defensive record of the professional era.
The Wallabies have conceded consistently high numbers of points (2016 – 27.13, 2017 – 28.29, 2018- 24.69) with only 2013 (@ 25.73) breaking Cheika’s claim on the worst three defensive years of the professional era.
Lineout
I don’t even know how to sum up how badly our lineout has deteriorated this year. While it improved over the last few tests, our lineout in the Rugby Championship was beyond embarrassing.
Scrum
After a few years of scrum parity and even occasionally dominance, the Wallabies scrum has again descended into mediocrity. This is in spite of having arguably the strongest starting and reserve front rows we’ve had for a decade. Simon Raiwalui may well be a great bloke, but during his time as our forwards coach, the Wallabies have gone backwards quickly.
Skills
Even with skills guru Mick Byrne on board, the Wallabies side looks completely lost and lacking ball sense. From dropped balls, to support players overrunning the ball carrier, the inability to pass left-to-right and incompetent kicking in general play, the Wallabies lack the fundamentals required of an allegedly professional side.
Player development
For all the commentary around a supposed fact that Australia does not have the cattle, player development is possibly the key responsibility of any coach in any sport.
Can anyone honestly tell me of a player that has improved noticeably under Cheika in the last five years? Compare our backward trend with the development of key position All Blacks, and it’s clear that their coaching structure has an immensely positive impact on players. However, the Wallabies seem to convert skilled players into confused ones.
Jurgen Klopp once said, “I believe in training, sometimes I feel I’m the only one in this country who believes in training, only others believe in transfers. I love this game because training can make a difference.”
Selection
There’s simply so much to write on selection, but it’s all been covered by Roarers previously. Cheika’s selection policy is so hopelessly confused, I’m genuinely surprised that we haven’t seen Michael Hooper playing at 13 yet.
It was crazy to pick Bernard Foley at 12 in a test match.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Fan engagement
This is not a direct responsibility of the coach, but it is a corollary to all of the coach’s other responsibilities.
Rugby in Australia is struggling, and as the main revenue generation tool of Rugby Australia, the Wallabies need to be winning and packing out stadiums to have any chance of remaining solvent, let alone relevant.
Put simply, except for the absolute tragics among us, the Wallabies have become irrelevant. Worse, for we the tragics, watching a Wallabies game has become a torturous way to ruin an otherwise perfectly good weekend.
Recap
There is not a single area in which the Wallabies have improved over the last five years. More terrifying, there does not seem to be an area in which we have not regressed.
The state of affairs is so dire, that regardless of the cost, Cheika and his assistants must go. There will be a cost, but people are going to pay more in lost ticket sales, broadcast revenue and complete sporting irrelevance if he is not let go.
The job of any coach is to teach or instruct their team so as to improve their knowledge and skills and achieve their goals. Cheika has failed so badly at this, it is not only incomprehensible but unconscionable that he keep his job.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The question not asked: Why did he leave? We throw 7 figure sums at players that could be replaced with minimal impact, but a coach that has proven impact? Sheesh! My 2 cents is that there was tension between him and Cheika, mos likely on selection and strategy. Look at the Jags/Puma's packs. They don't miss many lineouts, lose many scrums an are there to clean out and turnover a ruck. You don't need 2 Jackals when you can shove the opposition off the ball.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
It is curious that you mention dropping #10 to fullback in your Cheika Defence. It is common to drop 2 players into the backfield for defence. Common strategies include 10/15, 14/15 and in the case of Beale 12/15 The Chiefs used this effectively with Arron Cruden, This had a lot to do with his limited defensive abilities. This is not a blight his skills, just that he, much like D-Mac, is a small man, and stopping big ball running 8,s 12,s and 13's is a losing battle. Both players have great agility, kicking skills and solid tactical brains. But look at Cheika's version: Drop Beale, Foley and/or Ginea back, Hide Folau on the Wing and Bring DHP (An actual Fullback) into 13 and Hoops (An Alleged #7) into 10/12 to defend in the trenches. For me this is the tip of the iceberg, requiring the rest of the "Cattle" to be super fit to compensate for the assortment of passengers. The motive for Dual 7's looks like a response to compromised 12 channel defence but that compromises, the Scrum, the lineout and imposes positional requirements for the #6 and reserve lock.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
A good debate has 2 sides, but this is not a good debate, and it doesn't have to be. This is "The problem stated" - What should have happened, vs what has happened. The facts are plain as day, The authors suggested solution: Replace the coaching staff and do what a large numbers of Roar readers have been banging on about for several years. The detail of the execution is the debate to have. Which coach? Which Players and What is the selection process? What Game plan. My 2 Cents: Listen to Hodgo on Fox's podcast. ~ Select the best players for the positions and Build a system around them. This is in contrast to Cheika's philosophy: Select a system and then select and mould the players into it. [Timbo's editorial:] Then, keep fringe players in a state of fear so they tow the line and worship the core player group.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Thank you, Tony, for this piece. It was definitely worth the read. In assessing the performance of the Wallabies' Captain and Coach, I am reminded of a Goon show of long ago (I think it's "The Jet Propelled Guided NAAFI") wherein Eccles is answering an inquiry into grossly incompetent government management (or it could have been exceedingly good mismanagement). Anyhow, the inquisitor says, "Mr Eccles, we do not for one moment doubt your sincerity. It's just your intelligence that's in question." Eccles replies, "Well, I accept your apology." As for the RA board, I think there are good reasons to doubt their sincerity in relation to some decisions in recent years. And their intelligence.
Nicolai
Guest
The Wallaby coach and his (non) assistants is absolutely destroying the careers of MANY current players!!!! The Wallaby coach and his (non) assistants is absolutely doing their best to ensure that NO kid/student wants to play RUGBY!!!! The Wallaby coach and his (non) assistants is absolutely doing their best to get rid of as many current and future sponsors!!!! The Wallaby coach and his (non) assistants is absolutely doing their best to ensure that NO media outlet will report on Rugby!!!! The Wallaby coach and his (non) assistants is absolutely doing their best to get rid of as many as current and future FANS/MEMBERS/SUPPORTERS!!!! The Wallaby coach and his (non) assistants is absolutely doing their best to KILL OFF RUGBY in Australia!!!! It hurts LIKE HELL to see what is happening with Rugby and Wallabies!!!!!!!!
Tony H
Roar Pro
I don't know who you're talking about DLKN... :P But then again, even The Roar publishes some authors just for clickbait..and because they love Randwick
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Tony, Ledesma was good in turning around the scrum deficiencies. However, I am concerned as to how much remained between the ears of the pack. He no sooner had left and within a short-time our scrum had descended into "not good" level. So the question; are these players listening or are they too damn arrogant or stupid to listen or understand?
Tony H
Roar Pro
Thanks Puff. I suppose that the scariest part for me, is that there is not a single metric on which you could say the Wallabies have progressed, either on or off the field. That's just damning.
Tony H
Roar Pro
I hadn't considered De Villiers. It's an interesting point!
Tony H
Roar Pro
That's one of the things that drives me insane, Emanuel. Link was one of those coaches that not only taught skills and set piece, he had the tactical nous to adjust the gameplan depending on the opposition. The Reds of 2011 were a brilliant example of that, playing everything from scintillating running rugby, to a game against the Stormers where their entire method was to move the huge Stormers pack around the park. Chieka on the other hand, seems bereft not only of planning nous, but any tactical awareness at all.
Puff
Guest
This article has perception, including an honest fundamental review of the last three years. Which highlights there is relatively little to smile about. Regardless of Cheika’s diabolical record where are the checks and balances that keep the organization off the rocks? We can all discuss pitiable skill sets and abilities of some players but the worrying signs ask the question. Who is responsible for this deplorable situation, Mick Byrne or the senior coaches generally? Clyne and Castle have leadership deficient and as revenue and support for the sport continues to plummet, the boardroom are only interested in discussing Christmas decorations. Like most I find the sports signature team, the Wallabies spiraling to new depths under this administration. If you are only part of the problem you are not apart the solution.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
I am no fan of Cheika at all but I will have a go at making a case in mitigation for him. It is not one I subscribe to. He inherited a side in disarray and with low morale (although a draw and a 1 point lossv NZ suggests they were maybe not so bad). They were kicking away a lot of ball and leaking a lot of points in defence. Set piece was an issue. He set about boosting morale through showing loyalty to what he identified as key players. He worked on imposing a clear brand of ball in hand rugby. He identified the set piece as a key area. He has stayed pretty focused on those things until the Bledisloe disasters this season. He has idnetified fitness and skills issues and tried to address these. He has to work with a cash strapped RA and provinces pulling in all directions. He might say that many of the on field structures - attack and defence) have been based on delivering on his vision. In theory, dropping the 10 to full back in defence can help to spark counter-attack. The structures are not well suited to the players he has, however. They may not be well suited to test rugby either. I think a case can be made that he has improved fitness, until this season the scrum had improved very significantly (let's ignore the regular lineout problems), the players as a whole appeared to be happy and he had a RWC final, A Rugby Championship and 2 test wins v NZ. The difficulty with mounting a defence of MC is his dreadful record, which is not just based on one season. The clear word from O/S was that MC was a 2 year turnaround coach whose results fell away after that. I think he took a pretty good side that was being whiteanted by a small group of Waratah players agitating for MC and after a short term improvement he drove it into the ground.
Harry Jones
Expert
That's brilliant.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Pieter De Villiers maybe a advisor, he is one of two people in the world who knows exactly how you beat the all blacks.
Rugby wizard
Guest
There are only 2 coaches in the world that know how too beat the all blacks and do it regularly,the one being the Irish coach and guess what RA the other is available. This other coach knew and still does how exactly too beat the all blacks,he had a fantastic record against a all black team filled with legends that probably was the best in 20 years. This coach and his team was very unlucky at RWC 2011 ,they lost too wallabies due too poor referring decisions, had they not been at the receiving end of some really bad calls they probably could have gone and won it. This coach is not involved with any major team,having him as head coach or some part of the coaching team advisor maybe could be a master stroke. Pieter De Villiers could be the smartest thing RA has ever done,beating the Springboks wont be a problem,the all blacks will be beaten before they play the wallabies and the Irish way ,well thats easy pickings for the man we call in South Africa SNOORMAN!
Emanuel Kilismanis
Guest
A very good article to the point and very factual, the problem with Australian rugby started with the previous administration not pouring enough funds (if none at all) in junior development. McKenzie was a good coach and the the Wallabies played with a lot more enterprise when he was at the helm. All Cheika does is blame everybody else when his team looses and some former rugby players employed at Fox sports have joined the band as well blaming refs and opposition teams for all the teams losses. The answer is simple, sack the current administration as they are totally out of their depth and sack all the coaching staff and start again it will save further embarrassment.
Samlaurence26
Roar Rookie
Indeed it would
Tony H
Roar Pro
I wouldn't have thought so. Call it $800K ish?
Tony H
Roar Pro
We certainly are missing Ledesma. A coach who can teach both technique and attitude, wouldn't that be something.
Tony H
Roar Pro
Thanks Lano, I suppose I should write two more. The Job of the Captain and The Job of the Board. Unfortunately, and spoiler alert, all of them fail, on EVERY count. Perhaps instead, I'll put some effort into an analysis of what KPI's and approach the RA board should take over the next WC cycle.