Michael Cheika wonders if the NSW Waratahs are in denial after a record-breaking 59-23 Super Rugby loss to the Highlanders left his former franchise staring down the barrel of a historic and humiliating winless season.
The Waratahs leaked more than 40 points for the seventh time this year to gift the Highlanders victory in Dunedin on Saturday night.
The Highlanders piled on nine tries to two at Forsyth Barr Stadium, extending the Waratahs’ unprecedented losing streak to 12 matches while racking up their most points ever in a match against NSW.
Sitting last, the Waratahs have now conceded 225 points at an average of more than 56 a game in their four Trans-Tasman encounters.
Waratahs vice-captain Alex Newsome blamed breakdown issues and an inability to exit their own half after scoring points for their latest loss, leaving former Wallabies coach Cheika bewildered.
“I don’t know if they’re in denial here. I don’t if I’m watching a different game of footy but they’re not talking about defence at all,” Cheika, the Waratahs’ only Super Rugby-winning coach, said from the Nine commentary booth.
“It’s just about simply making tackles. I think that comes down to personal ownership of the defence.”
Cheika said not only did the Waratahs make poor defensive reads and rush out of the line, they lacked desperation and he questioned the players’ commitment.
“It probably goes back to mindset as well,” he said.
“I understand they’ve had so many changes as well and there’s a lot of players out (but) those things are part of who you are as a team.
“That’s probably something they’re going to have to work on – about ‘who are we, we’ve got to go out and make our tackles’ and then afterwards own it and move on to the next thing.”
If they can’t beat the Chiefs next Saturday night in Sydney, the Waratahs will complete a season without a win for the first time in 35 years of professional rugby.
Newsome spoke pre-game of the emotional toll the Waratahs’ dismal campaign had taken on the players and Saturday night’s soul-destroying display won’t have helped.
Somewhat miraculously, given their “touch rugby” defence – as New Zealand commentators put it – the Waratahs actually led at the half-hour mark.
But schoolboy errors cost them dearly as the Highlanders converted a 33-23 halftime lead into a commanding bonus-point triumph with four unanswered five-pointers after the break.
“It’s the story of our season, really,” Newsome said.
Cheika said he felt for Waratahs co-coaches Chris Whitaker and Jason Gilmore and for young props Andrew Tuala and Darcy Breen, who held their own at scrum time only to be let down by teammates.
“Coach Whitaker must be going mad up there, honestly,” Cheika said.
“Like, some of the stuff they do is awesome and some of the stuff they do you want to close your eyes.”
jeznez
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Charlie Turner
Guest
Here's a joke for ya: Michael Cheika
Tycoch22
Roar Rookie
Joubert got them to RWC final not Cheiky the Clown
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Yes I did and it's 'the not an'..
Guess
Roar Rookie
Partly agree with cheika that it’s players fault but what he forgets is that when there’s lack of confidence any system falls apart. I believe it was Hooper who said one mistake here and there and then whole team lose confidence in each other and it’s hard to bring it back within the game.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Did you read an article? He blamed the players not coaches
Guess
Roar Rookie
No it's not coaches job. Cheika could inspire them once in a while but you can't rely on that. Players should be self directed
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I know that is his background. He’s struggled to get Irish defence working here though over two years. And there is a lot of quality and experience to work with
Big Dog
Guest
Rennie is going to build his pack around Angus Bell. The kid is really being looked at as the future of the Wallaby scrum. Think I’m kidding? I’m not - this is the inside mail. I’ll be happy to revisit this in a year or two’s time and, if I’m wrong, happily eat crow right here. But I’m not wrong.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
ozsa, he was an excellent D coach at the tahs with McKenzie.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Just on a side note. What is the injury to Angus Bell ?
jcr
Roar Rookie
Same way as everything is fixed , start at the top and work your way down.
alexander kearns
Roar Rookie
Need longer term planning to fix the mess not just a splurge with an open chequebook, which they probably cannot afford anyway. Maybe a few picks in key positions ie prop and lock but keep the current squad intact to achieve long term benefits.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Disagree. Great example of a star player getting all the way through school without a basic skill. Perfectly capable as shown on his return from the UK but then it just disappears again. QC was worse, his technique was so bad he would avoid putting himself in the right position to tackle. I really just do not understand how things are allowed to get that bad. Similar to the NSW current defence. Nick Bishop's article was enlightening plus I think there is a problem with fitness and conditioning.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
and he has n0 idea h0w t0 tackle
KFar
Guest
And the massive noise/drama/mud slinging by Chieka, over the Crusaders/NZFRU not releasing Samu, then wasn't picked in the Wallabies squad anyway. I really dont/didn't get Cheika.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
In de Nile? Ain't dat de brown river you doan' wanna swim in, and you up dere widdout de paddle?
Double Agent
Guest
"Beale was a great example of this. There was nothing wrong with his courage," I think Beale's defensive issues were 100% down to courage or lack thereof.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I am with you, sounded like the same thing to me. Heartbreaking just watching the Highlanders roll straight back into the 22 last night :unhappy:
jeznez
Roar Guru
:laughing: I love bad jokes. My favourite lately is: . Did you hear the Norwegian military have put bar codes on all their sea going vessels? It’s so when they return to port they can….. scan da Navy in! . Nic was replying to me commenting on space the Brumbies had found down the edge off set piece from round 2 of Super AU. . My assumption had been it was caused by the same narrowness he was displaying from the Crusaders game but his reply indicated they’ve switched systems since. . Regardless, whether they’ve changed it or not – it sure ain’t working.