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.
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.
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.
As it sits, Michael Cheika, and the entire board, should be marched if the rugby faithful are to believe the code has any future.
Joe
Guest
As I have said many times before Clyne and the board have little interest in rugby in Australia. seem to be more concerned with gender and political correctness. Clyne was pretty awful at NAB why would he be any different here. Just another gravy train for trough feeders.
Bobby
Guest
Just watched Horan saying this should have happened 2 years ago. Tim, you have a tongue in your mouth, you get pretty lipy on occasion, you are on TV all the time but you only come out 2 years later after your masters at RA have the original thought. And you have an MBA ????
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Ackermann
Bobby
Guest
Maybe Just maybe, Johnson will be a safety net for RA. If Cheika suddenly resigns or continues with his antics to a level at which RA is prepared to shaft him (without notice) they would then have in place a bloke, who immediately would fill the role of Interim Coach until a suitable coach was appointed. It might be about buying time !
Dan
Guest
So you need a mentor now to be an australian coach give me break they need to give clyne the toe
Ex force fan
Guest
Spot on Fionn. Too many egos not enough servants of the game.
Andrew
Guest
Pay him out. Pay all his support staff out as well. Put Knuckles Connelly (or someone similar) in a caretaker role until the WC and have a well considered international search for the right candidate. The board and CEO positions must be thrown open as well. Clear the decks and start again or else we wont have a game at all! Oh and not John ONeill ever! The rot started with him My dream team would include Wayne Smith and Brad Thorn but I doubt the peanuts in control will go for Kiwis
Loxie
Guest
OUCH! Sounds bad when you put it like that. Things have gotten so dire it’s either a well organised plot to distroy Australian Rugby or an we are witnessing an absolute cluster f*&k with everyone diligently doin their bit.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Yes but Jack is right peeeko! Its down to establishment entitlement of a group of tired old goats who Chieka is trying to endear himself to. Open your eyes. Have a look at the selections and the players that are continually selected despite their form or performance. Want a litmus test - I propose to you that if Simmons had not gone to the Warratahs he wouldn't be in the frame! look where AAC is supposedly going? Look where most of the media commentary is coming from. look at the statements that Australian Rugby will only be successful if NSW rugby is successful! Its as simple as this. There is far greater talent, prospects, dedicated hard working players outside the Waratahs franchise than within it! If it was me the only current Waratahs that would be in my world cup squad selection frame would be: Kepu, Foloau, Dempsey, Gordon, Hooper, Latu and Staniforth! Full stop. The other have had their chance and delivered less than acceptable performances to warrant a a Wallaby shirt. Don't like it well tough!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Objective I think you have hit the nail on the head! What do these people do? Methinks prior to "professionalism" or should I say when big money was around the Wallabies managed and were competitive winning two world cups! What we have now is a bunch of numpties sticking their noses in the trough and adding no value! Lets establish a real mission statement and policy as the Kiwis did with their no dickheads policy. Our should be: No Bludgers No shirkers No entitled self promoting egotists. Lets get these policies enshrined and then we can start pruning and getting rid of these pretenders like Cline and Chieka!
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Rugby clubs are full of people with substantial business experience. The idea that someone with minimal involvement in the game can understand it sufficiently to be the supreme decision makers for all of us is just a fantasy. At least half the Board has no background in rugby, not even as a Rugby mum.
peeeko
Roar Guru
yep, keep blaming NSW
peeeko
Roar Guru
i am no supporter of Clyne but he has no effect on how the wallabies perform on the field recently.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
And yet with arguably a lesser group of players, our previous coach had far more success. That's a little dent in your theory.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yep, no one speaks about how difficult it is to run Singapore or South Korea despite their troubled histories. Competent leaders succeeded there, and in many other places. History is littered with examples of failing companies and failing countries who had heir fortunes turned around utterly by competent leadership.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think Johnson is a good choice as DOR personally. I just think he needs to be combined with a very capable head Wallabies coach, and better assistants. Imagine if Johnson was DOR, someone like White or Joseph or Robertson was HC and our assistants were Fisher plus someone like Wessels as defence and McKay as attack.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Egos, pride and selfish agendas may sadly succeed in destroying rugby in this country, EFF. Too many would prefer to be kings of nothing than a prince of something far greater.
soapit
Roar Guru
if thats the case cheika must be convinced to forego a lot of what he's entitled to for the sake of his legacy. imagine how that will stand after running us into the ground and then holding everyone to ransom for another year. thjis is all based on the assumption that he doesnt need the money and has welath generated from fashion as was reported earlier.
Rugby wizard
Guest
So what have the top 6 teams have in common? In no particular order 1.Scotland -has 17 players 28+ of age 7 of which are 30+ 2.wales -has 13 players 28+ of age 6 of which are 30+ 3.England has 13 players 28+ of age and 8 of which are 30+ 4.South Africa has 13 players 28+ of age of which 5 are 30+ 5.Irland -14 players 28+ of age 9 of which are 30+ 6.All blacks -has 10 players 28+ of age of which all are 30+ ,there are many at the age of 27 aswell. Look at the similarities all top 6 teams have some old players in the group which are mixed with young talent and you need that in your squad, we write talent off too early.The balance of the wallabies squad is not right,AAC coming in is a good thing ,but we need more.Its what the top 6 nations do so why are we stubborn. Vermeulen 32,Read 33,B.Smith32,Coles32,Louw33,Mcfadden31,laidlaw33,Brown 32,Best35,Sexton33,Kearney 32 too name a few are all good enough too play for their countries ,but the 7th rank team in the world considers those ages not good enough, come on RA.
Kane
Roar Guru
Look a little deeper and I think you'll find the current Randwick coach has his eyes on Cheikas job...