An opening-day fright against Fiji won’t send the Wallabies into their shell at the Rugby World Cup, with Michael Cheika’s men to go all-in on an expansive style.
Cheika has been adamant all year that running rugby is their passport to success in Japan and doesn’t think many Australian supporters would advise him otherwise.
The theory hit an early snag in Sapporo on Saturday when runners were chopped down mercilessly by Fiji, whose physicality forced the Wallabies into precarious attacking plays and numerous mistakes.
Only a mid-game switch to route one rugby – kicking for territory off the back of a solid forward platform – lifted Cheika’s men ahead in the final quarter of their 39-21 win.
Cheika liked the adaptability of his players but said he won’t desert their primary philosophy.
“That’s who we are, that’s how we want to play footy,” Cheika said.
“That’s how I’d like my young fellas to play footy and I’d like Aussies watch us throwing the ball around. This is the world stage, so be who you are.”
Cheika sought assurance from prop James Slipper, sitting alongside him at a Tokyo press conference, that Australia were going down the right tactical path.
“Do you really want us to kick all the time and go and chase the kick?” the coach asked.
“No, playing footy’s good,” Slipper responded.
Cheika said some nations were better suited to pressure-based rugby “and all that business” but he long ago decided it didn’t suit the Wallabies.
His best supporting evidence came in last month’s hammering of the All Blacks in Perth, where the ball was barely kicked by the hosts.
It justified his decision to introduce more reliance on natural instincts at training camps early in January.
“I’ve got to admit when we came together at the start of the year and started talking about playing this way, there were a lot of blank looks from different playmakers because they’re so used to calling everything,” he said.
Cheika wouldn’t be drawn on selection, with halves Nic White and Christian Lealiifano under pressure for Sunday’s second pool match against Wales, along with fullback Kurtley Beale and winger Reece Hodge, who faces a dangerous tackle charge.
Richie
Roar Rookie
if you mean the singers the sun ain’t gunna shine on cheika! :laughing:
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Rugby union’s version of the Walker Brothers :thumbup:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Ok you both can co coach next year! :thumbup: :laughing:
Richie
Roar Rookie
Please stop this “one plan cheika”. The forwards just showed you the right plan against Fiji. At least earn this right to go wide. With the skill level of this backline I’m happy for the forwards to keep it in tight and win the battle. Better then losing outright with your only plan that just doesn’t suit our capabilities.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
If anyone wants a pre-view of how Cheika’s tactics will work against a very good defensive NH team, watch the Scotland v Ireland match. If we just go out there and throw the ball around from the start we will give away this game before half time. We need to show some game smarts and game management, please Cheika give the guys a chance of winning the game.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
TKidd for wallabies coach! Cheers KP
Lara
Guest
Sometimes a simple plan can be better than a elaborate half baked plan n definitely better than no plan.....sounds like half baked with a lot of B S , and definitely no back up plan.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
apparently the Aussies already bowed to the crowd but as they are not Kiwis it's not worth reporting. I believe the Aussies are sweeping out the change rooms these days so the ABs intend to do a emu parade after the next game.
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
You're a wiser man than me Ken, it took me 4 years to notice! But no. I'm keeping the credit.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Maybe we should bow during the game then?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
BS, I spotted this plan months ago. You were not the first. I demand credit.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
LN, when did we look good?
Gloria
Roar Rookie
“We”. Yeah, rightio.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Please do name names cause I don’t know who they are. And I very much doubt they bother posting on here. Except me, or Phil to my buddies. :stoked:
OJ
Roar Rookie
I'm just puzzled where this running rugby is or has been for the last 4 years. 90% of it has just been Foley shovelling the ball along the line for another crash or crash thru phase. There hasn't been anything Australian about the way the Wallabies have played for the last 4 years. It's just been dumb rugby, game after game after game.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Plus Foley's latest test goal kicking form was 2/6, wasn't it?
Tooly
Roar Rookie
He almost pulled out Julia Gillards “ We are us “, and we are us, the irrelevant joke of World Rugby. We try to play provincial Rugby with provincial players against nations that are all improving while we decline with this nonsense. There is plenty of running rugby, they all play it we talk about it. Pressure Rugby and all that stuff he doesn’t understand is not beyond us . It’s beyond him and his favourites. The trouble is that we are no good at running rugby either. If our defence against Fiji is any indication we have almost mastered touch. As the Donald would say “ We play fake rugby poorly “.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Fionn, I think we can all agree the Cheika is out of his depth and has been probably for the duration of his tenure. The fact is he secured the role based on an achievement with Waratahs, in panic decision by RA who needed to fill the vacancy from another stuff-up! Subsequently we performed above expectation four years ago, more down to the players than the coaches in my view. Fast forward to this year and the RA finally admitted they had a guy who had them in a corner, but couldn't deliver so lets add two additional selectors. We see some improvement, but still the residual nepotism remains stubborn. There are obvious changes. Beale is a bench player at best. Foley's inclusion will not provide any improvement. Lastly even if by some miracle we stumble our way past Wales, from what I watched yesterday there is no guarantee we will better Georgia! They tackled ferociously and there forwards stood up against Wales. Wales only pulled away towards the end and by deploying a filed position game through kicking. Wallabies beware!
terrykidd
Roar Pro
What we did learn from the win over Fiji is that route 1 rugby sets the platform for the backs to run and I reckon that is what we want to see from the Wallabies. We don't want to see helter skelter backline plays where there is a real risk of passes going down and creating turnover counterattacks. we don't necessarily need too much kicking in route 1 rugby either, we can go forward first, draw in defenders then go to the runners, but we do need good carrys, good offensive rucks and people running holes. Wales showed against Georgia that their set piece is vulnerable, so lets attack that and go running.
Gary
Guest
Jameswm i didn't say on here.Kafer Mitchell Hoiles Kearns Gregan Byrne Grey Raiwalui etc etc.Altough there are on here who wont comment negatively as they a massive Cheika fans. We know which Roar commenters they are. I wont name names as we all know who they are.