Roar Guru
Joined May 2013
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Writes on rugby for RugbyPass. Can be followed on Twitter @ArgyleSport.
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With the Wallabies capitulating to another loss against Eddie Jones’ England, this time 37-18, the simple and obvious question to be asked is this:…
Their lineout didn’t always deliver, their scrum experienced pressure, they had first choice players out injured and they didn’t always take the points available.…
As the Wallabies prepare for the Test match with Wales this weekend at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, coach Michael Cheika should reflect upon the wisdom…
With Rugby Australia confirming Michael Cheika will coach the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in 2019, the focus shifts to his assistants. Stephen…
The duality of the Wallaby performance in Salta invites more questions than it answers. Watching the post-match press conference, under siege Wallabies coach Michael…
“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.” So, said C. Northcote Parkinson a renowned 20th century British author who is the father of ‘Parkinson’s…
With their backs to the wall and their coach’s future being questioned the Wallabies have it all ahead of them when they take on…
My heart sank to lows seldom experienced when Israel Folau failed to pass the ball to his unmarked teammate, Bernard Foley, who surely would…
There is a certain nervous wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth by Australian fans who can't stomach the idea of a repeat of…
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika puts head-to-pillow at the Sofitel on Friday night, several hours after he has held his final press conference before the…
On a beautifully crisp Saturday afternoon at St Lucia, the University of Queensland defeated their cross town rivals Brothers 21 – 15 in an…
As Wallaby Coach Michael Cheika and his cohorts finalise the Wallaby squad for the upcoming Tests matches against the Fijians, Italians and Scots, I…
When Australian rugby entered into the professional era in 1996 the state of the game and its previous governance appeared reasonably healthy. Despite being…
The Reds need Quade Cooper. They've been woeful in 2016. Without the 58 test playmaker at Ballymore the Reds have been about as entertaining…
While I am an ardent supporter of Wallaby coach Michael Cheika and of his motivational methods I have previously compared his Waratahs and Wallabies…
Time, as they say, is the great healer - and rugby is not immune to that remedy. If you don't believe me, look at…
The Kurtley Beale-Wasps deal is an alarming indicator of what is on the horizon and that is a cannibalisation of the global rugby game…
As Wallaby coach Michael Cheika and his All Black counterpart Steve Hansen prepare their respective sides for Round 1 of Bledisloe Cup 2015, rugby…
The father of evolutionary thought Charles Darwin had little time for those in the numbers game. In fact the renowned English naturalist's thoughts on…
Since returning to his native shores, Waratah and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has evoked the long-dormant brawling spirit of the Australian rugby player; who…
Hi Don,
Who doesn’t rate Larkham as a player? He was superb. However how good were the players he had on his outside to straighten or re-align the attack if he ‘ghosted’ across the field when launching an attack? Names like Horan, Grey, Kafer, Howard and Holbeck come to mind in the 12 jumper. Then Little, Herbert And Mortlock we’re not known for ‘crabbing’ across the park either.
It appears to me that Bernie’s width game lacked straight alignment to truely make it effective. That aside I would have looked at removing Simon Raiwalui first as the Wallabies forwards struggled in possession at the set piece in 2018. Get that right before we look at the next thing in my opinion.
Cheers.
By dumping Larkham, the Wallabies have been Cheika-mated
Sorry mate I was referring to Wayne Smith the writer who mentioned Knuckles as an interim recently.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
For memory Drew Mitchell and Steven Hoiles do not support his sacking. I don’t think Bob Dwyer or David Campese do either.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Morning Baz,
Fair call.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Fair call.
I support Wayne Smith and think Knuckles could do a job in the interim.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
If Michael Cheika is to be sacked, who do you think are genuine options to be his replacement?
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
It all tilts on good governance then. Are we assuming RA are unified internally?
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Fox cunning indeed.
Where does Michael Cheika get his power from? Great question. I would answer in several ways;
1. He is in the box seat as it will be a financial impost on RA to move him on. The board, as it appears to me, has more business people on it than people will both rugby and business acumen. If it boils down to dollars and cents he has the power.
2. He answered the call when Australia needed a coach. So did Jake White, but he took on a sinking ship to his credit and somehow gave Australian Rugby a shot of self confidence. That confidence is all but gone yet the vaporous trails still waft in the air that give hope.
3. He has allies in the media and punditry who wield influence.
4. I suspect RA don’t have the minerals to take him on. Too many jellyfish who would have to borrow a spine before looking at Cheika in the wrong way. Not all, but collectively I don’t think they have a ‘look you in the eye’ decision in them as an organisation. I think he scares them.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
Morning Geoff,
Love the quip about the high performance unit!
Perhaps Cheika wields too much power at RA and he won’t allow himself to be sacked?
Whilst there are good individuals on the board, as a collective they don’t inspire much confidence as an organisation that can get things done well. The Western Force, the snail paced rollout of the National Coaching Panel, the Hooper contract and the Women’s World Cup bid spring to mind. Oh and then there is the Wallabies themselves, dreadful!
Too many compounding issues but a clean out and new thinking is required on the board, the business model and in the coaching personnel.
The Wrap: Is this D-day for Michael Cheika or same old, same old?
The must be some change Brett as without it RA is near condoning the rubbish rugby being displayed. I think there will be some ‘restructuring’ of the coaching set up for 2019. That may be the head coach, assistants or both. A circuit breaker is required.
By the way, Orange is the new Black…
England loss confirms Wallabies are no closer to RWC success
Thanks Bill,
‘Never give up’! The words of my mentor. We’ll get there Bill but we must be honest with ourselves and right the wrongs of the past to sure up the future. Structural reforms are needed. The right people are around, we just need to exorcise a few ‘Wood Ducks’ out of the joints do wrest back our game from the imposters. The Wallabies are not a play thing or vehicle for self promotion!
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Cheers Topo.
I’ve replied to you elsewhere.
Regards
Nick
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Cheers Harry,
I’d love to sit down for a few beers with Cheika and pick his brain. I’d also thank him for stepping up when we needed him but his abilities appear to fall short of the solutions required from a coach, but there problems do go beyond the influence of the head coach.
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Perhaps you should read my other articles. I actually tend to agree with you. Today’s article was specific to Cheika, his skipper and even RA and how they have been saying the same stuff over and over again.
I have read David’s article, I usually read all of his, Spiro’s, Brett’s, Geoff’s and others.
There are quality back row forwards in this country; Caleb Timu, Jed Hollaway, Jack Dempsey, Rob Valentini, Richard Hardwick, Lukhan Tui, and Adam Korcyck come to mind.
More than happy to discuss the history of the game with you.
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Well I think you need a bit of swagger as they say, just have to be able to back it before one actually swags….
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Mate I think he has been unlucky at times, the same fixture last year was not without its controversy and again this year, but that is like complaining of a black eye when you have a stake through your heart.
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Entitled to your opinion Max, but respectfully disagree.
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Morning Lano,
Earlier in the year a wrote an article that Cheika’s loyalty was now to a fault as there was little accountability for poor performance. I suspect this is an ingredient in the mixture of why the Wallabies are failing.
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
Thanks mate,
As Australian political figure Graham Richardson says, ‘The mob has figured you out’, is absolutely applicable to Cheika, his coaches and leadership group.
The echo chamber that is Wallaby rugby
I agree, the Wallabies have the ability just not the game plan and mental application to do so. Therefore we are done.
Combinations and chemistry take time. Why haven't we been patient?
Must be the game plan then mate? Perhaps they have not been buying into a clear and coherent plan based upon sound rugby logic that actually works?
Combinations and chemistry take time. Why haven't we been patient?
Hi Don,
And no more out the back second man plays! Too easy to pick and leaves the ball runner too often isolated as his support runners are in front of him. How about some old fashion advantage line focused attack? But that would likely mean the removal of a dual playmaker system. Perhaps in 2020?
By dumping Larkham, the Wallabies have been Cheika-mated