1
Michael Cheika responds to Eddie Jones as war of words breaks out ahead of quarter-final clash
By Online Editors
That old Randwick rivalry has reignited between Michael Cheika and Eddie Jones, laying the foundation of another spicy lead-up to an Australia-England sudden death showdown at the Rugby World Cup.
The two nations will almost certainly meet in a quarter-final in Oita on Saturday next week, unless the unthinkable happens and Uruguay topple Wales in the final pool D match on Sunday.
A Uruguayan win would leave Australia on top of the group and facing France in the quarters.
Cheika has clearly decided England are in his sights, speaking freely about a team they've lost to in six successive meetings, with most of those by wide margins.
Ex-Wallabies coach Jones, who loves pre-match banter as much as his counterpart, had issued a verbal prod to Australia this week.
Continue reading below...
After his team's scheduled match against France was cancelled by World Cup officials because typhoon safety fears, Jones said his team would benefit from a two-week break in comparison to the Wallabies, who were pushed hard by rugged Georgia on Friday.
Cheika said all his former teammate at Sydney club Randwick had actually done was heap additional pressure onto himself.
"Well, I saw he was saying that that (cancellation) would be an advantage and the 'typhoon gods' were smiling on him," Cheika said
"They've had the best preparation according to the coach so they'd better go out there and win. We'll see how we go."
Cheika dismissed talk England are clear favourites, preferring to ignore the underdog discussion entirely.
"Mate, I don't know the relevance of it," he said.
"The only relevance is Saturday. It doesn't matter, all the different things, who's had a week off, who's had a week on, who'se been resting, who hasn't."
Cheika was quizzed on whether the clash with the forward-based Georgians on Friday was the ideal preparation for an England side who also base their game around a robust pack.
"The hit out was good, just having to dig in and work hard, get up off the ground, get into some tough stuff," he said.
"That's how we wanted the game to go, we wanted to work like that."
AAP
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Rassie Erasmus holds the solution to England's Jamie George conundrum
3
The Springboks have something you don't have
4
'I don't think Borthwick picks Willis even if he's playing in England'
5
Latest Comments
As I said before, bye now PinkyPedant. I hope you stew over this issue for years to come, and it sours every meal you eat.
Go to commentsI should have read your excellent comment before launching my own protest. Dark days IMHO. 🤞 for rugby union's future.
Go to comments