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'We've heard their players say they aren't taking this game for granted and we take them on their word for that'

Michael Cheika is due to link-up with the Argentina squad in Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admits his team are “coming from well back” as their World Cup preparations officially ramp up with their opening Rugby Championship clash against South Africa in Johannesburg.

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After a horror record last year, Cheika is looking for the Wallabies to win at Ellis Park on Saturday to start a repeat of their 2015 winning run, which launched them all the way into the World Cup final.

Cheika said he had belief they could go all the way.

“We’ve got to earn everything this season – we know a lot of people aren’t giving us much chance but I believe in our players,” Cheika said

“Anyone who goes out there in our jersey is going to do whatever it takes to earn what we get this year.

“We know that we are coming from well back … we’ve spoken about what we need to do this year to earn respect and earn our right to achieve what we want to achieve.”

The Johannesburg match is a juggling act for the Australians, who want to build that winning momentum and still give players the chance to push their case to be on the plane to Japan in September.

Among the selections Cheika has given Fijian-born back-rower Isi Naisarani his Test debut, recalled veteran prop James Slipper after a cocaine ban, and handed UK-based halfback Nic White his first Test cap in four years with a start ahead of regular No.9 Will Genia.

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“It’s a big occasion so we want to pick a good team for it,” Cheika said.

“It’s based on what we need from this game and what we’d like to achieve from this game.”

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has effectively chosen a B team, sending stars such as five-eighth Handre Pollard, back-rower Duane Vermeulen and hooker Malcolm Marx on to New Zealand to prepare for their round-two clash with the All Blacks.

Cheika said he didn’t feel disrespected by the move and said the Springboks selection was “irrelevant”.

“I don’t see it that way,” he said.

“We’ve heard their players say they aren’t taking this game for granted and we take them on their word for that.”

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Australia are seeking a first win on South African soil in eight years and a first victory at the famously hostile Ellis Park since 1963 – their sole result from 10 visits

Their last match there in 2008 ended with a record 53-8 loss.

But Cheika welcomed the challenge.

“That’s what I enjoy – to be in the cauldron of the opposition – it’s motivating for us,” he said.

“What else could you ask for in terms of an intimidating atmosphere? It’s a good challenge and we must stand up. This is what rugby is about.”

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Tom 6 hours ago
Will Bristol's daredevil 'Bears-ball' deliver the trophy they crave?

Also a Bristol fan and echo your sentiments.


I love watching Bristol but their approach will only get them so far I think. Exeter played like this when they first got promoted to the prem and had intermittent success, it wasn't until they wised up and played a more balanced game that they became a consistently top side.


I really want Bristol to continue playing this brand of rugby and I don't mind them running it from under their posts but I don't think they need to do it every single time. They need to be just a little bit more selective about when and where on the pitch they play. Every game they put themselves under so much needless pressure by turning the ball over under their posts trying to do kamikaze moves when it's not required. By all means run it from your goal line if there is a chance for a counter attack, we all want to see Bristol running in 100m tries from under their posts but I think until they learn when to do it and when to be pragmatic, they are unlikely to win the premiership.


Defense has been a real positive from Bristol, they've shown a lot of improvement there... And I will say that I think this kamikaze strategy they employ is a very good one for a struggling side and could be employed by Newcastle. It's seems to have turned around Gloucester's fortunes. The big advantage is even if you don't have the biggest and best players, what you have is cohesion. This is why Scotland keep battering England. England have better individuals but they look muddled as a team, trying to play a mixed strategy under coaches who lack charisma, the team has no identity. Scotland come out and give it full throttle from 1-15 even if they struggle against the top sides, sides like England and Wales who lack that identity drown under the relentless will and synergy of the Scots. If Newcastle did the same they could really surprise some people, I know the weather is bad up there but it hasn't bothered the Scots. Bristol can learn from Scotland too, Pat is on to something when he says the following but Scotland don't play test matches like headless chickens. They still play with the same level of clarity and ambition Bristol do but they are much better at picking their moments. They needed to go back to this mad game to get their cohesion back after a couple of seasons struggling but I hope they get a bit wiser from matches like Leinster and La Rochelle.


“If there’s clarity on what you’re trying to do as a team you can win anything.”

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