Wallabies coach Michael Cheika can’t fathom why England would invite Canberra Raiders NRL coach Ricky Stuart into their camp ahead of their biggest game in four years.
England counterpart Eddie Jones has opened the doors for Stuart to observe his team up close as they prepare for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Australia in Oita.
It mirrors a similar overture to another league great, Andrew Johns, to speak with English players ahead of sweeping the Wallabies 3-0 in their 2016 series in Australia.
Cheika said Stuart’s invitation would be the equivalent of him inviting England soccer coach Gareth Southgate, who he does know personally, into the Wallabies camp this week.
“It must be weird for the players having an Aussie because Ricky is a legend,” Cheika said
“It’d be like… I’m friends with Gareth Southgate, I don’t know if I’d be wanting him in here the week that we’re playing England.
“Obviously they (Jones and Stuart) would be mates I imagine, so it’s all good.”
Stuart’s trip to Japan comes just over a week after his Raiders were beaten by the Sydney Roosters in their first trip to an NRL final for 25 years.
Stuart was a junior rugby union star and played three tour matches for the Wallabies in 1987 before switching codes and becoming a halfback great in rugby league with Canberra, NSW and Australia.
Stuart was to join England during the second half of their fortnight-long build-up to the knockout phase, having had their final pool match against France cancelled because of the typhoon that struck Japan on Saturday.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, Cheika doesn’t even bother watching the opposition.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Michael Cheika - "the gift that keeps on giving"
ScottD
Roar Guru
"No Comment" would be a good response
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
No doubt he was asked. But it is the flavour and style of Cheik’s answer that baffles me. Someone buy Cheik a straight bat and teach him how to play it. Spitballing this, I can’t imagine Ricky will have much input in the technical aspects of England’s scrum techniques, breakdown approach or lineout strategy, for example. However, given he has both played in and coached teams in some major international rugby tournaments over several pretty impressive decades, he might have some beneficial advice in regards to mental preparation for big matches – dealing with pressure and focusing on execution and outcomes. He might be able to draw from his unique cross-code rugby pedigree to provide some pearls of wisdom in regards match day physical preparation for elite league players that would translate well to union equivalents. He might simply outline the motivational backdrop that took a talented, though probably unfancied 2019 Raiders team, all the way to the grand final. Who outside of those four walls knows for sure? The only strange thing to me is that tier 1 international test rugby coach cannot eke out any possible benefit in seeking a wide range of thoughts and advice from successful sporting professionals in their field. I personally think it would be fascinating to hear how Gareth Southgate approaches the task of developing talent, selecting team sheets and designing the strategy for an England Football team that holds the fortunes and angst of an, at times, virulent England public on its tender shoulders. The weight of expectation on these individuals, and their coach, is huge. How does the bloke sleep at night? But then again, Cheik doesn’t even seem to take advice from his own selected assistants. Why would he find value outside of the tent when those inside can be so easily ostracised and scapegoated? Build the walls, us versus them. And anyone can be them. #Cheikxit
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Imagine the Wallabies with a decent pack with Sticky at half and Wally at 5/8. The invincible Unbeatables.
You can see there are no rugby matches this week, non stories make headlines.
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
And also call the Irish Coach a traitor??? Nup - these guys are in the camp to learn and share experiences.....no issue
Sage
Roar Rookie
A straight up attempt at a head f... by Eddie. Nothing more or less. Worked last time with Johns so here's round 2. Eddie's playing him and all he has to do is STFU. Just like in post match interviews. Just STFU Michael
adastra32
Roar Rookie
The only jibber jabber is from Cheika at the moment....plenty of time to go though.
Kane
Roar Guru
Seems like Cheika has done more analysis on Ricky than England :unhappy:
Brett McKay
Expert
Cheik will be really mad when he finds out Ricky spent some time with the All Blacks late year... :silly: The smart coaches look to expand the knowledge. Dozens of Australian coaches head overseas every year...
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Ricky has worn the green and gold in rugby. He is a plant. Cheika is merely throwing up a smokescreen to cover the tricky truth.
Phil
Guest
CB2,I would imagine Cheika has been asked what he thought of Stuart being invited to join the England camp and has commented accordingly.I don't see his comments being particularly critical,just questioning why you would do it.It also seems rather strange to me,too.Surely at this stage of preparation for the RWC you don't need the input from anyone outside of the current coaching group.What benefit could Stuart possibly add?Sure,he was a good rugby player 30 years ago,so what?It's probably just another Jones mind game,saying hey guys,I've got another Aussie on my side.Hopefully we can wipe the smirk off his face next Saturday.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Definitely cancel my Raiders membership. Pretty grubby effort by Stewart. But he has a history over the years of nastiness and bad decisions.
adam smith
Guest
Just cause Cheika is too ignorant & arrogant to ask for help, he derides others for doing so? Cheika baffles me...
MikeJ
Roar Rookie
I swear if this was a New Zealander, lets say Stacey Jones, helping out the Irish this week, the Kiwis will be furious at him and label him as a traitor..lol
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
This country is going to the dogs! Why the hell would a dinky di Aussie be helping an England team beat the Wallabies in a RWC QF??!! Oh, hang on.
Brian Hill
Guest
Ricky, like all of the top coaches in any code, realises that you can always learn from exposure to alternate methods and ideas. Chickadee is different.
Puff
Guest
Jones association with Ricky Stuart made me smile. If the gent was in Cheika’s camp his advice would probably be excluded and marked down as irrelevant. Here ends the story!
Randy
Roar Rookie
Stuart at least has background in Union. He has also shown a lot of faith in his English recruits at the Raiders.