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Michael Cheika confirms win or walk post-World Cup

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

It’s win or bust for Michael Cheika, who has reaffirmed he will walk from the Wallabies top job if they don’t win this year’s World Cup.

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In Johannesburg to prepare for Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against South Africa, Cheika said he was prepared to “put himself on the line”.

He said nothing had changed since he made the statement early last year that after finishing runner-up at the 2015 showpiece, the team needed to show improvement in Japan which meant only a win would keep him in the position.

Currently ranked world number six, and with bookies offering odds of $21.00, it’s a big call.

“I’ve been transparent since day one – I believe that I should put myself on the line and winning the World Cupis the dream for all of us,” Cheika said.

“I know most people would think that’s a pipe but we don’t.

‘We came second last time and if we come first next time I will have earned the right to stay on as coach and if I don’t then someone else earns the opportunity.

“I think that’s fair.”

Rugby Australia director of coaching Scott Johnson said this week they were putting out the feelers should Cheika walk or his contract wasn’t renewed after the tournament, which starts in September.

“We’re doing our due diligence. It’s not like we’re sitting back and doing nothing,” Johnson said.

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Former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has been linked to the post, although he is signed with current club Glasgow until mid 2020.

Taking over as head coach in October 2014, Cheika’s coaching record is 28 wins, 28 losses and two draws from his 58 tests for a win rate of 48 percent.

The poor record hasn’t dulled his passion for the team and players and said the build-up to the Springboks test had been the most enjoyable of his reign.

“Since coaching with Australia I don’t think I’ve enjoyed four weeks more – the two weeks in Sydney and Brisbane and two weeks here.

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“Just the atmosphere around the team and the camaraderie has been unreal and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

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Watch – Rassie Erasmus’ big Springbok gamble:

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TI 4 hours ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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