Wallabies coach Michael Cheika concedes it’s unfortunate that Israel Folau has been lost to Australian rugby but maintains “team is king”.
It was Cheika who pulled off one of the great coups in prising the code-hopping superstar away from AFL’s GWS Giants and to the NSW Waratahs in 2013.
And it was Cheika who celebrated the Waratahs’ drought-breaking Super Rugby triumph in 2014 with Folau and the bulk of the dual international’s Test victories.
But after admitting in April that it would be difficult to pick Folau again following his controversial social media posts, Cheika broke his silence on the three-times John Eales Medallist’s sacking at a Randwick Rugby Club luncheon in Sydney on Friday.
“It’s pretty easy from my point of view. It’s something I’ve learnt from here,” Cheika told the large gathering of Randwick’s “rugby family”.
“So for all those guys sitting up the end there in their team kit getting ready to play, one thing I’ve learnt here is the team’s king.
“When you come to Randwick, you come to play the Randwick style and you are no bigger (than the team) – and we had some big names in our team and they all did everything for the team.”
Cheika was disappointed the Folau saga dogged the Waratahs’ 2019 campaign and dominated the headlines in an all-important Rugby World Cup year.
“I’ve had a good relationship with Israel for a long time now. The only thing for me is the team has to concentrate on the game,” he said.
“Focus has to be on winning the next game, or the World Cup or the Bledisloe Cup or the things that our fans want, the things that we want.
“And once that focus is not there completely, you have to either make the sacrifices to make that the No.1 focus.
“And that’s it. Nothing to do with content, nothing to do with anything. It’s just about the team is the most important thing and anything that can distract a team from achieving its goals, you have to deal with one way or another.
“Not always this way … it is unfortunate how it ended up but something had to give in that situation.”
Folau has launched legal proceedings with the Fair Work Commission against Rugby Australia and is seeking up to $10 million in damages.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Yet I forecast Beale will get the 15 Jersey. Based on his outstanding performances in that jersey, ..never
Lano
Roar Guru
If you didn’t see the humour in my post your pretty dim. And based on your lack of critique, I’m sure of it. Looking at your language too, you’re also a bully - “listen champ” You’re kidding?
Harry Jones
Expert
Best thing I've ever heard Cheika say.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not really. He was available at the start of the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. He started in Round 1 in each of these seasons. He was just not chosen to captain the team. He was then injured during the season in 2013 and 2014, after the captain had already been chosen. You’re hubris really isn’t matched by your knowledge, or willingness to look up simple facts.
Realist
Guest
Injuries dictated that decision more than anything else TWAS. Final lesson of the day for you
Double Agent
Guest
The Waratahs could have used some 'Give it to Izzy' lately. 'Give it Newsome' or 'Give it to Beale' hasn't had the same effect!!!
Redbeard
Roar Rookie
The Wallatahs tonight have shown their true colours. But what hope for the WRC? ....... None! Cheika can wheel out Poopers , Beale etc, but what hope?. Total despair amongst the Australian Rugby community. Australian Rugby burns as RAelene and Co fiddle. ... .....Not to mention, another dead Reds year. Time to cut another team from the Australian group, or maybe some amalgamations? And the citadel at Olympic Park needs to be shredded. ... With any luck, Izzy will do that!!!
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
Listen champ, Let me give you some advice - life is a lot more enjoyable when you get that chip off your shoulder. Why don't you give that a go? Goodnight, sweet dreams
Lano
Roar Guru
No? Didn’t think so. Another spineless anonymous critical.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
You're right again Timbo :) Cheika is a hypocrit imo – his biased selection policies for last 4 years are factor no 1 in anti team first policies. He’s put his own personal feelings for his Tah mates over the WB team’s best interests. And he's gonna do it again in 2019.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
TWAS don't agree with you there. Pocock's causes have never impacted on his, or team, performances - not even close. Cheika is a hypocrit imo - his biased selection policies for last 4 years are factor no 1 in anti team first policies. He's put his own personal feelings for his Tah mates over the WB team's best interests.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Guess the Brumbies coaches got it wrong never selecting Pocock at captain too
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Putting the team first isn’t an important part of being a good leader? Being a star player isn’t the important part of leadership.
Realist
Guest
TWAS - unlike your own simplistic analysis of what makes a competent leader... Oh and ‘Stephen Moore’ was Captain of the Wallabies’ 2015 RWC side and Pocock ironically the star player who dragged the team all the way to the final. There was even conjecture when Dan Carter was awarded player of the year over him, such was his impact during the tournament. I could argue with you all day for fun !
Danny
Roar Pro
Team and culture first: message 100% correct. Messenger: yeah not so much.
Realist
Guest
Possibly not Bobby and I at least partially agree with your second statement. Though you can’t definitively say Higginbotham was not a good test player when Chieka gave him an average of 15 minutes per season. Same logic applies to Pocock who only captained for a couple of tests in a row. This is Chieka’s legacy
rebelpirate
Guest
Oh please????
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Pocock was not a good captain. Great players don't mean great captains.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Every coach has favourites.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not really. Because my comment details a reason why Pocock wasn’t given a run of more than a game or two. That and the fact that while he missed 2014, Hooper built up a year as captain. Hooper oversaw the RWC Final so you can’t say it’s all bad. But regardless, a bad 3 years doesn’t mean he has failed. There’s nothing to suggest a better captain would have changed the results. You’re just using the same simplistic analysis that poor results = nobody did anything good and use them to justify criticising anything.