Former title-winning coach Michael Cheika was a conspicuous observer as the NSW Waratahs’ record losing streak continued with a gut-wrenching 24-22 Super Rugby AU defeat to the Brumbies in Sydney.
The Waratahs’ sharp-shooting five-eighth Will Harrison had an after-the-siren conversion chance to send Friday night’s match into extra time but pushed his sideline attempt wide.
The Waratahs’ sixth successive defeat to start the season came less than a week after the NSW board sacked Rob Penney and installed his assistants Chris Whitaker and Jason Gilmore as interim coaches.
In a chaotic conclusion to the game, it was only Harrison’s third missed shot at goal all campaign – and Brumbies skipper Nic White readily conceded his side dodged a bullet.
“There might be a little bit of chat about our bad performance but you’ve got to look at the Waratahs’ performance and the type of pressure they put us under. It was certainly intense,” White said.
“There’s got to be a lot of emotion and motivation for them and they showed that and we were lucky to sneak away with that.”
Cheika is said to be advising the Waratahs on the structure of the embattled franchise’s long-term coaching set-up.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Whether or not he’d be interested – or affordable to the Waratahs – to consider a return in any official capacity is another matter.
But his appearance at the SCG alongside Sydney Roosters NRL coach Trent Robinson certainly raised the tantalisingly prospect.
Cheika is the only coach ever to lead NSW to a Super Rugby title, masterminding the Waratahs’ 2014 breakthrough before leaving the following year to take charge of the Wallabies.
He guided Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final to further raise his stocks before quitting after the Wallabies’ disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2019 global showpiece in Japan.
The one-time World Rugby coach of the year was on the Roosters’ books last year before agreeing to take the helm of Lebanon for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
It’s doubtful the cash-strapped Waratahs would have the resources to entice Cheika back.
But if there’s one man who could put bums back on seats, restore the Waratahs’ reputation and profile and lure some big-name players back to Sydney, it’s master motivator and mover and shaker Cheika.
The Tahs’ inexperienced class of 2021 look in serious need of a shake-up from whoever is appointed as Penney’s full-time successor.
Try as they might after a less-than-ideal four-day preparation, Whitaker and Gilmore were unable to find the magic formula for a drought-breaking and desperately-needed Waratahs win over the defending champion Brumbies.
They were at least courageous and competitive but ultimately paid the price for conceding two soft early tries and then trailing 24-10 at halftime.
The Waratahs made the Brumbies sweat, though, reducing the deficit to seven points with a Harrison converted try in the 65th minute, then almost forcing super time with a James Ramm five-pointer in the 83rd minute.
But even after playing most of the second half with a man down after a yellow card was issued to Rory Scott and a red to Tom Cusack, the Brumbies still hung on.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
I haven't really heard that sentiment much, I think looking at the team list that there's plenty of talent at the brumbies compared to other teams. I don't feel that their super rugby dominance has often translated to strong performances at the next level though.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I feel sorry for Rob P. He obviously built his strategy around Jake Gordon but lost him early against the Brumbies in game 1. Then got sacked a week before Jake was coming back. Thanks
Markus
Roar Rookie
Or, and to be fair you wouldn’t know this from reading everything dished out by NSW sports journalism, Australian rugby is bigger than the Waratahs.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Funny, all we ever hear around here is that the other clubs have all the talent and the Brumbies players are just made to look better than they are because of their structures. Even the Wallabies selections regularly reflect that sentiment.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Clearly the anti-Tah trolls on here fear the return of Cheika, that's why we want him back.
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Rubbish Coker.
Yeah true but he keeps winning so you cant remove his name from a future Wallabies job....I dont get how Wessels keeps his job as he loses and nothing gets changed. It appears everybody at the Rebels is happy to come 3rd in the Aus group every year...
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
This AAP article from Darren Walton had a very funny sentence I thought.......... "But if there’s one man who could put bums back on seats, restore the Waratahs’ reputation and profile and lure some big-name players back to Sydney, it’s master motivator and mover and shaker Cheika." D Walton is obviously on good drugs and hasn't seen a rugby game since 2015 :silly: Brumbies had a poor 2nd half last night but the young Tahs should some real spirit to make a game of it. Next week they'll revert back to the usual though ..........
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
piru
Roar Rookie
Yeah it seems some people have forgotten the idiocy of the Cheika years.
piru
Roar Rookie
No, we've got enough problems without importing them
Double Agent
Guest
Congrats Buffalo Theorist. That's a rare perspective from a Reds supporter. Judging by the comments on here.
Brian
Guest
A very decent summary of strengths. Especially given his success at Leinster, which were a team of stars in need of hardening up in similar fashion to the Waratahs. I like that you always make mention of Mooney. Watching his team's were outright entertainment.
Brian
Guest
"He guided Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final to further raise his stocks before quitting after the Wallabies’ disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2019 global showpiece in Japan" , which was preceded by consecutive home series defeats to England and Ireland, that, curiously, did nothing to dent his coaching credentials in the eyes of many. Fixed it for you. Balanced reporting please.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why did the wallabies suck then they had Izzy then?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How many sports leave a team with 20% less salary cap money and expect the coach to succeed?
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
.... Grey.... how did he hang on to his job when the Wallabies defence was leaking like a sieve year after year? Oh that's right, he was protected by Cheika and those higher up the food chain. Any couching runs on the board he may have had almost don't count do they?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Are you still bitter he took the Tahs job over the Force?
Guess
Roar Rookie
Yeah as a typical narcissist he's in it for a power trip too
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I more suspect if Grey is installed, then he is nothing more than a puppet. Gilmore, Coleman, Maraneti would all be more qualified candidates.