Former Australia coach Michael Cheika has hit back at accusations from ex-selector Michael O’Connor that the Wallabies’ 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign “was always going to end in tears”.
Dual-code international O’Connor claimed the tournament in Japan was doomed to failure due to confusion over Cheika’s game plan and poor training standards within the playing group.
Australia lost to Wales in the group stage before exiting the World Cup in the quarter-finals with a 40-16 thrashing by England, their equal worst finish at the tournament.
But speaking to Rugby Australia’s official website, Cheika said O’Connor was rarely at training and that he was disappointed by his former colleague going public with his comments.
(Photo by Warren Little – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“Since the whole thing finished… I’ve not slagged anyone, not spoken poorly of any other person inside the organisation and I don’t want to,” Cheika said.
“At a certain point sometimes where the line is crossed on what the truth is you have to stand up and say, ‘This is not right and that person shouldn’t be talking like that’.”
O’Connor, who was recently released from his Rugby Australia contract due to financial constraints, was part of a selectors’ panel foisted upon former coach Cheika last year following a 2018 season in which the Wallabies won only four of 13 tests.
The former international told the Sydney Morning Herald a number of players were unconvinced by Cheika’s attacking game plan.
“When you look back on it: what was it?” O’Connor said.
“That new attacking style he was going to bring to the Wallabies, it was so secretive and he had to play players out of Super (Rugby) commitments and fly them to Brisbane and educate them.
“I don’t know. It was almost like a scam.”
O’Connor also criticised the players for failing to stand up to their coach and tell him their concerns.
“It was one of the failings from that campaign; players who clearly weren’t sold on the style of play either didn’t voice their concern or were afraid of ramifications,” he said.
“Disturbing” standards at training underlined the malaise, he added.
“I’ve never ever seen as much dropped ball from a national team… If you’re going to drop it training, you’re going to drop it in a game,” added O’Connor.
“It was always going to end in tears.”
Suzy Poison
Guest
Cheika's career was always aligned to his Randwick teammate's Eddie Jones. If Heineken Meyer hadn't been totally fooled by the guile of Eddie's Japan in 2015, Boks would have been in the final. They were the second best team in 2015, not Australia. Eddie Jones should have actually been coach of the year in 2015. It was a massive master class in coaching, what he did with Japan. The way Eddie's England smashed Australia in 2019, showed Eddie is a 200% better coach than Cheika. But Eddie has learned from his mistakes. Maybe, hopefully Cheika can too learn to reinvent himself. It will take admitting that you made a mistake and take honesty in order to grow. Not sure Cheika has that ability. He has no humility and generally blames the refs or everyone else. Listen to Rassie interviews post game, like chalk and cheese. As a Saffa fan, not impressed by Cheika at all, seeing as he couldn't beat Alistair Coetzee as a coach. A equal record of wins. Coetzee was our worst coach. As soon as Rassie came on on the scene, the Bok B team were making Cheika's boys look very silly. Hey Cheika, don't bang the door on the way out.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I know which of the 2 opinions I believe.
GC Red
Roar Rookie
Let’s all put it down in the annals of history as something to learn from.
GC Red
Roar Rookie
I think you’re right, but because of his lack of a plan B, when they needed to adapt because of the cattle being shunted... they couldn’t. I am a diehard wallabies fan, but we all knew that campaign was doomed before it started. Like Custer’s last stand.
Marlin
Roar Rookie
the proof was in the pudding so I know which version I believe. Wales were the worst 'top tier' team ever and yet they beat us...
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Cheika won a Championship at the Tahs with Potieger, a one man wrecking ball who was allowed to reek havoc by referees. We have been through hell since Robbie Deans left. At least we’re getting used to being in a s... sandwich. They have only changed the baker not the filling.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
We sacked a bloke who won ten.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
He will go well as he did at wasps.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
I have never been convinced that Toomua is of Test class. Foley was far better in attack but not as good in defence. Foley was a better kicker. If a player is weak in defence you need to cover for him. If he’s at 10 you need a Nathan Grey at 12 , not JOC or Hodge, and a Matt Burke at 15, not DHP or Beale. If he’s at 15 , you need a wall in front of him. We had no wall without Lealiifano and Kuridrani. Hodge can’t tackle, Koriebeti, DHP, Toomua, JOC and Petaia all have limitations.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
‘Loyalty and respect’ to certain players is one thing. Then there is that thing about loyalty and respect for the jersey, heritage and the legacy of the Wallaby.
Crash Ball2
Roar Rookie
I’ll endeavour to be less diplomatic next time Ken.
Jackal15
Guest
.... and made even more well known by Lisa Simpson
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Makes perfect sense now. And Hooper on the wing... clearly, you had one 7 in 8, and the other 7 in 7, the number two 7, did the math and thought, must be 14.
Jackal
Guest
Would love to read Bernie’s penned thoughts
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Next time CB tell us what ya really think.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes RIEP, AB coaches do just that. They manufacture pressure by carefully crafted selections.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thousands of us have already written Izzy’s book for him.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
CB I scrolled through the length of that rant without reading. Then I caught a glimpse and thought this will be worth the read. You did not disappoint. Harsh but fair.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Hoy “ if he goes away, has a good hard look at things” Yep both those things Especially the first one. For Cheika’s own sake he needs to drop the delusion that supports his defence. He seems to be oblivious to how many of us are disappointed about what he has done to our Wallaby. Ultimately not his fault. We hired and rehired him. And he did a lot of exciting things. His omissions were few, but utterly crucial. His post Wallaby bleats are just annoying now. I’m not against him as a coach or as a person. He deserves some gratitude and some credit. But if he wants to post-rationalise like a desperate dumped guy outside his ex girlfriend’s window then he can expect some truth bricks from on high. It’s over Mick. Move on.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Spot on Train. He is a motivator Not an innovator nor a tactician A test coach needs to be all 3 -at least.