Wallaby great slaps Cheika with back-handed vote of confidence
Wallaby great David Campese is backing Michael Cheika, who has lost 13 of his last 16 matches in charge of Australia, to continue in the role because there is “nobody” to take over.
Cheika has received another vote of confidence from Australian rugby chiefs heading into Saturday’s clash with Italy in Padua and Campese can understand why that has happened despite the recent results. He told BT Sport; “A year out from the World Cup you cannot change now because unfortunately, at the moment, there is nobody in Australia. We used to play differently but at the moment we have two Kiwis and one South African coaches in Super Rugby and there is no where to go in Australia to be a Super Rugby coach.
“There is no process – even Cheik had to go overseas to become Australia coach and we are struggling at the moment. In New Zealand there are ex-players coaching who come through a system and we haven’t quite worked that out yet. Cheik said that after the World Cup he is going to retire.”
Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle is adamant the head coach will take the squad to Japan, however, his assistant coaches could be under threat from a planned end of year review that will follow the final European tour test with England at Twickenham on November 24.
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While critics are focussing on his assistant coaches, Cheika has complete faith in Stephen Larkham, Nathan Grey, Simon Raiwalui and Mick Byrne, but it could be taken out of his hands. Italy have failed to beat the Wallabies in 17 attempts and this match follows a 9-6 tryless loss to Wales which only heaped more pressure on Cheika and his fellow coaches.
However, Castle has reiterated her position that Cheika has RA’s support even after an eighth loss this year. “At the end of the day, Michael’s contract goes through to the World Cup,” said Castle. “We’ve said that publicly and we’re continuing to support that stance. There is a review at the end of every year. There is no doubt that that’s become even more important because of our performances but the review will identify the areas that we need to focus on as we move on to that very important World Cup next year.”
Former Wallaby great Michael Lyangh spelled out the reality of the situation to RugbyPass last month stating; “He (Cheika) will stay because a) there is nobody else and b)there is a financial issue that the ARU wouldn’t be able to meet. So, on both those fronts the logistics of trying to get rid of Michael are not right.”
Prop Sekope Kepu, who has played in 101 tests to match David Campese, insists Cheika has protected the players from the flak from home and abroad. “He’s dealt with it in his own way and not let it affect the team too much,” said 32-year-old Kepu. “ I don’t read the media and that stuff. That is part of how I look at it. You just worry about what is going on in the team environment. As long as we are honest with each other in this team that is all that matters to me. It’s another week and the chance to chase the goal that we want and the goals we have set ourselves.
“It has been a tough year but the boys are sticking tight and we’re trusting that we keep chipping away at things. The results will come. The World Cup is still 12 months away but this week is another massive challenge and a chance for us to build. It’s a good chance to come away strong for the rest of the year.”
Comments on RugbyPass
How did it end a draw. South Africa didn’t score any points as far as I can see
2 Go to commentsNo doubt this will be a fantastic occasion and I plan to be there, but I think the bean counters have won out over the rugby brains. In my opinion, it is foolhardy to give the Black Ferns the experience of playing in front of 60,000+ at Twickenham a year before they might be playing there in a World Cup Final. Better to play France at Twickenham and Black Ferns at Kingsholm. The difference in takings would be miniscule.
1 Go to commentsDom kant
191 Go to commentsBen is a little incel desperately trying to stir the pot and stay relevant. We used to get mad at his articles. Now we just feel sorry for him
191 Go to commentsPerhaps we may need to put an asterisk on NZ’s ‘87 WC win since the Boks weren’t there. You know, just as a reminder. Poor Ben Smith. Go cry somewhere else.
191 Go to commentsNz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
2 Go to commentsThanks for a much more balanced piece Ned and not that BS that Bin Smuth just posted a short while ago. read this article and then Bin Smuth’s and tell me there isn’t a huge difference🙄
2 Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
2 Go to commentsOne does not expect anything more from Ben Smith who epitomises the worst of New Zealand media arrogance and an inability to balance what he has to say about any team that beats the All Blacks. His reference to context is pathetically thin. He does not comment that Frizell deserved a red card given his blatant manipulation of his body to ensure that he could drop his body weight onto Mbonambi’s lower leg. No mention of the ball lost forward before the All Black’s try (lost in-field of the 5 metre line and gathered beyond). The All Black commitment and effort was superb and there was little in it. Given the Springbok passage to the final and the loss of their hooker in the first three minutes, their resolve and capacity to win their fourth final out of eight attempts (not three out of ten) deserves the praise that has been forthcoming from media around the world, worth reading and listening to. Ben should join his “pundit” friends on TV - he would fit in well. This sort of article reduces any credibility Rugby Pass has ever had. Why persist with this sort of nonsense? The man does his country and a rugby blog a disservice.
191 Go to commentsEtzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
3 Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
191 Go to commentsIt’s going to be a good game. COYQ
1 Go to comments“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
156 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
191 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
191 Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
3 Go to commentsI’ve read loads of nonsense before but this article takes the cake. Or perhaps someone changed the date for April Fool's Day.
3 Go to commentsReally Rugbypass? Ben Smith I think you forgot what the Springboks did to the All Blacks at Twickenham 8 weeks earlier? Springboks 35 All Blacks 7. There is alot of ifs and buts in your article. The All Blacks threw the sink at the Springboks and unfortunately they were not good enough regardless if they played with 14 men or not. It was the Springboks who forced the All Blacks to make mistakes! Sorry but not Sorry the Springboks is the best ever Rugby World Cup Nation in the world. 4 Cups baby!
191 Go to commentsYou just backed the Boks with that fantastic review! Well done! Have some cake!
191 Go to commentsBen Smith please write up something better than this. The Springboks would have won the world cup if you were 15 men on the field. They would have found a way, they always find a way to beat the All Blacks.
191 Go to comments