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Michael Cheika and Cameron Clyne don't click

13th December, 2018
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13th December, 2018
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When Michael Cheika took over as Wallaby coach from Ewan McKenzie in November 2014, former 25-cap Wallaby centre Michael Hawker was chairman of the Australian Rugby Union.

When Hawker called it a day at the end of 2015, the combination had chalked up 16 Tests for 11 wins, and five losses, with the highlight reaching the final of the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham to be number two-ranked rugby nation.

That 68.7 per cent win record was second only to the long-term Wallaby coaching record holder Rod Macqueen’s 79.1 per cent, and just ahead of Alan Jones’ 68.4 per cent.

Impressive.

Cameron Clyne of banking fame with no rugby status, took over as chairman in January 2016, and the rot set in.

The Cheika-Clyne combination through 2016, 2017, and 2018 has resulted in 42 games, 17 wins, 23 losses, and a couple of draws for a 40.48 per cent success rate.

Depressing.

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Among the 15 Wallaby coaches listed in history, Cheika in that three-year period would beat only Bob Templeton’s 34.5 per cent, Des Connor’s 14.3, and Bryan Palmer who never won a Test.

But there’s a big difference.

Cheika’s been on a very healthy contract, while Templeton, Connor, and Palmer were in the amateur era, and only coached because they loved rugby, and wanted to chip in to help.

So who is the problem – Cheika or Clyne – or both?

In the real world, Cheika’s nine losses in 13 internationals in the recently completed campaign would have been proof enough to be shown the exit door.

Wins over Ireland, South Africa, Argentina, and Italy, wouldn’t have been enough to remain Wallaby coach.

But this isn’t the real world as the Rugby Australia board proved this week.

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Cameron Clyne

Cameron Clyne (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Every board member must have, or should have, seen every one of those 13 games – either in person, or on television.

Every board member must have formed an opinion as to Cheika’s standing as Wallaby coach.

So when Cheika made his presentation to the board last Monday, all it required was to decide if the coach gave a positive report, or failed to impress – it was as simple as that.

The board could have had a round table immediately, gone through all the info they had gleaned from Cheika, and the support staff – and come to a final decision – on Monday.

No gibberish 60-plus seconds of rubbish from Clyne without answering one question, and it would be done and dusted one way, or the other.

No two-week delay until Christmas for a decision.

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As it sits, Michael Cheika, and the entire board, should be marched if the rugby faithful are to believe the code has any future.

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