Cheika and Johnson can't afford the Hart and Wyllie effect
As the first whistle of the 2019 Rugby World Cup approaches and the Wallabies search for confidence post a truly dreadful 2018, the relationship that must now bind rapidly is that of head coach Michael Cheika and new Director of Rugby Scott Johnson otherwise a failure in Japan is all but guaranteed.
History, as we know, is a great teacher and the lesson from mistakes past that Cheika and Johnson need to reflect upon is the All Blacks of the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Few could argue that the All Blacks between 1987 and 1991 were not a magnificent team featuring the likes of Sir John Kirwan, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Jones and Grant Fox who trampled all until an unlikely Wallabies team defeated them in Wellington in 1990.
As the 1991 Rugby World Cup approached the All Blacks had experienced turbulence in their camp seldom seen before. Skipper Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford had been dropped and New Zealanders could not decide whom should actually coach their national side to the tournament.
The protagonists were the Aucklander John Hart, educated at the University of Auckland who had stunning success with his native side who truly were the greatest provincial team on the planet from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Hart was a sharp, articulate, intelligent operator who always presented well and was well versed in his public persona.
His opponent was the incumbent Alex ‘Grizz’ Wyllie who is a true product of New Zealand’s south. An All Black forward and captain himself, Wyllie was gruff and uncompromising who appeared to have little regard for his public persona. He was the All Black coach and that was it! Full stop.
Wyllie chiseled out his own coaching reputation with his native Canterbury, regaining the prize of New Zealand Rugby, the Ranfurly Shield during his tenure at Christchurch. This coupled with defeats of the British and Irish Lions in 1983 and the Bledisloe winning Wallabies of 1986 no doubt had rightfully earned Wyllie the All Blacks coaching position.
Yet, in one of the more bizarre moves, the New Zealand Rugby Union decided that both Wyllie and Hart should co-coach the All Blacks to the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks were reported to be a split camp divided between the Auckland and Christchurch factions of Hart and Wyllie who each had their own philosophies on the game and selections. Despite finishing an admirable third in the tournament the dual coaching philosophy was proof of the old wisdom ‘Too many chefs spoil the broth.’
In context to the Chieka and Johnson relationship, one is clearly the head coach and the other the Director of Rugby. Not co-coaches as Hart and Wylllie were. But this is 2019, not 1991 and Australian Rugby has never had a Director of Rugby previously and therefore it is new ground for the organization to chart.
Rugby Australia has made it clear they want the Wallabies going deep into the tournament and have employed both Cheika and Johnson to achieve that goal, yet concerningly from recent comments made by Michael Cheika, it appears he has publicly established the tone of the relationship between him and his Director of Rugby.
The Wallabies coach recently told Fairfax media, “After Scott was appointed, he was pretty comfortable in making sure that I had the ability to deliver whatever style of game I wanted to bring,”
I am somewhat skeptical about that statement as it is understood the current Wallabies coach has always enjoyed such latitude. Yet he has not delivered the results so why would Rugby Australia employ Scott Johnson and simply allow him to let Michael Cheika’s brand of rugby continue unabated?
Scott Johnson recently told the Australian media that he wanted to bring ‘skill’ and ‘acumen’ back into the Australian game. That statement alone allows one to draw a rational inference that Johnson currently does not think the Wallabies under Michael Cheika are playing with enough of either.
Logically that makes me skeptical about Michael Cheika’s statement that he essentially could play whatever style he wanted. That statement does not appear congruent with that of Johnsons and makes me question are we seeing the first evidence of the ‘Hart and Wyllie effect’ upon the Wallabies team.
Michael Cheika went onto to further comment, “If there is a drama, we’ll get on with it regardless because sometimes you have the argument, then you’ve got to disagree and commit and get on with what’s best for the country to win the World Cup. Even before if a CEO came down and said, ‘You’ve got to do this’, and I didn’t agree with it, I always had two choices: do it, or not do it and face the consequences. It’s really simple.”
Again, Cheika appears to be setting the tone publicly for Johnson, who is also now a Wallaby selector along with former Wallaby and dual international Michael O’Connor.
What does Michael Cheika truly mean when he said, “We’ll get on with it?” Is that to mean Johnson and O’Connor will just have to step into his line of thinking because Johnson had already told Cheika that he (Johnson) was pretty comfortable in making sure that Cheika had the ability to deliver whatever style of game Cheika wanted to bring?
Why would there need to be selectors if Cheika were allowed to bring whatever style of rugby he wanted. Surely, he could just go on selecting his side for his style if that were the case?
What if Johnson and O’Connor decide that Samu Kerevi should play inside centre for the Wallabies, not Kurtley Beale?
What if Cheika was outvoted on the selection of Michael Hooper, would he really just get on with it?
It is hard to fathom as it appears Cheika thinks he all but has a ‘blank cheque’ given to him by Scott Johnson and I can only infer from his statement that it will be the other selectors that fall into line with the Coach. But I would be surprised if that truly were the case as it is illogical.
Whilst Michael Cheika himself avoided immediate sacking after the 2018 season review it is understood that he did not enjoy the support of at least one very senior Rugby Australia figure. It is further understood that the same figure is quite impressed with Scott Johnson and enjoys the fact Johnson is somewhat of an outsider within the broader context of the traditional Australian rugby culture.
If there were to be a spat between Cheika and Johnson that brought their working relationship into question prior to the World Cup and Rugby Australia were required to sort it out, my money would be on Johnson coming out on top.
The time Michael Cheika has remaining as Wallabies coach is significantly less than the time Scott Johnson has remaining as the Director of Rugby. The challenge they both face within these days and months ahead is that both must bring change to the Wallabies in the selection of an attack coach, playing selections and training.
Whilst I earnestly believe Cheika and Johnson both want what’s best for Australian rugby, did not John Hart and Alex Wyllie want the same for New Zealand in 1991? From the language being spoken by each, I remain skeptical that both are on the same page.
Michael Cheika on Scott Johnson:
Comments on RugbyPass
The strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
8 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
8 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
8 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
8 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
8 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
8 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
8 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to comments