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As Quade Cooper spat vitriol, his ex-teammate jumped to Cheika's defence

Quade Cooper (Photo by Getty Images)

In the aftermath of Australia’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final loss to England on Saturday, it has not been pleasant for departing head coach Michael Cheika.

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It was expected that the 52-year-old would move on if the Wallabies did not win the RWC, and after the 40-16 loss to their old enemy in Oita, he confirmed that he would not renew his contract.

Since then, the knives have been out for Cheika, as he has faced a litany of criticism from players and journalists. He has been labelled selfish for his approach to the quarter-final and a far cry from the man that led the Wallabies to the RWC final in 2015.

Exiled flyhalf Quade Cooper was one player to turn on him on Twitter, saying “If he actually cared about Aus rugby he would have done it [resigned] a while ago.”

Cheika has fought back himself, and has taken a parting shot at Rugby Australia, criticising the structure of the organisation. But it largely seems like he is on his own in this situation to face a barrage of abuse.

However, 52-cap Wallaby James O’Connor has leapt to his coach’s defence, thanking him for giving him another chance in international rugby.

The 29-year-old had faced a six-year absence from the Wallabies team until he was selected for the Rugby Championship this year. After a promising start to his career, the utility back became a pariah of Australian rugby, and left to play abroad in 2013. But he said on Instagram that he has a “great deal of respect” for Cheika for allowing him back onto the Test scene.

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This is what he said: “When I was looking for an opportunity, you went out of your way to accommodate and provide me with the circumstance for a chance. I want to thank you for that and all you have done for Australian rugby.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B31iEFHBTrC/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

Although things may have turned sour in the final months, or even years, of Cheika’s tenure, he still delivered a Rugby Championship title and a RWC silver medal. While he may receive quite a backlash from the Australian public, it is good to see that some players are there to defend him as well.

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Nickers 32 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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