Best ever Irish team to tour Australia - Michael Cheika

A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions

It was great to have Australian 15s head coach Michael Cheika at this year’s Singapore 7s. We spoke just before the Aussie semi-final with England -which Australia won, only for them to fall narrowly to Fiji in the final.

It turned out to be quite a timely catch up given Ireland are touring Australia this summer -with what is arguably the best Irish 15s side ever. It was something Cheiks conceded without hesitation when I put it to him -he told me “you’d have to say so, it’s proved by their ranking right now. They’re coming down, off the back of a Grand Slam and they are strong favourites to do well down there” before adding with a smile, “poor old us”.

He has an intimate knowledge of Ireland and Irish rugby, which you might think will be something of an advantage come June. When I asked him if it’s true Jonny Sexton is still using some of his plays he laughed it off but did say he “sent him the odd text here and there about some of the moves.” But that knowledge cuts both ways with many Irish players along with Joe Schmidt knowing Cheiks and his style too. It will be interesting to see next month who is able to use their advantage best.

Michael’s affection for all things Irish transcends the professional and personal –his three children were born in Ireland. And he also feels he owes Leinster and Ireland a debt of gratitude for giving him the opportunity to move up as a coach. The sincerity of his modesty is impressive for someone who has already tasted significant success in the sport both on and off the field.

With so much weight placed on maintaining form in the months before Japan, this test series is of huge importance to these sides -and it’s hard to see both emerging from it with their momentum intact. Whatever the next twelve months hold for Ireland and Australia it seems to me there’s a fair chance Cheika might end up coaching the Irish someday, even if his strong connection “all goes out the window when the whistle blows.”

When it came to Leinster this season, he accurately described them as a team “in line for another European Cup”, to add to the one he guided them to in 2009 -before Joe Schmidt’s back to back wins in 2011 and 2012.

To be honest it’s hard for anyone with an interest in rugby see past Leinster in Bilbao this weekend -the real chatter is about whether they’ll be able to refocus in time to burn through their opponents in their Pro14 semi and then maybe final in the weekends after Bilbao.

Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.

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