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Video - Cheika makes some remarkable claims in post-match press conference

By Sacha Pisani

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika insisted Australia should have been able to see off Scotland, despite Sekope Kepu’s red card.

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Kepu was sent off as hosts Scotland ran riot at Murrayfield on Saturday, embarrassing the Wallabies 53-24.

A moment of madness from Kepu proved costly for Australia, who led 12-10 at the time of the lock’s dismissal following a shoulder into the head of Hamish Watson in the 39th minute.

Scotland capitalised on their numerical advantage but Australia boss Cheika refused to use it as an excuse after the Wallabies’ European tour ended in horror fashion.

“I thought we still could have won with 14, to be honest,” Cheika said. “We came back and started off the second half very well.

“We just had to keep believing in what we wanted to do and instead we didn’t. We threw away the ball.

“We had less players and if you throw away the ball that is sort of what is going to happen. It’s definitely unfortunate but definitely not the red card – that happens in matches.

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“I don’t think it was a turning point.”

It was not the farewell Stephen Moore had hoped for as the 129-cap star made his final appearance.

Speaking about Moore, a veteran of three Rugby World Cups and Australia’s second-most capped player behind George Gregan, Cheika added: “I don’t think a player’s career is summarised by one match, any match or a moment in the game.

“His attitude and character will be imprinted on this squad going forward. I’ve been lucky to have him involved from 2015 and beyond.

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“Considering our situations over the last few years he has been an outstanding help to me. We’ve had a lot of battles, on and off the field, and he’s kept the team up and hungry all the time.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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