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Wallabies coaches given clarity on future
By Online Editors
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and his assistants have been backed by the Rugby Australia board as they continue building towards their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Rugby Australia chairman Cameron Clyne insisted the governing body was fully supporting the current Wallabies coaching set-up.
Wallabies attack coach Stephen Larkham, defence coach Nathan Grey, forwards coach Simon Raiwalui and skills coach Mick Byrne were all under the pump after a disappointing season, but Clyne said all Cheika's assistants were safe.
Cheika had a meeting with the board on Friday.
"We've got a World Cup coming up so we just wanted to talk through with him what support does he need from us," Clyne said before Rugby Australia Awards ceremony in Sydney.
"What are the sort of resources, what we don't want to have is that we've left anything on the table that leaves the Wallabies in a position not to win a World Cup.
"So it was just a really good and open discussion about how do we feel about this year, what do we think went well, what are the opportunities for improvement, how do we learn from that and what does he need from us to put the absolutely best position to win the World Cup next year."
Clyne also shut down speculation that Cheika and his assistants were at risk had the Wallabies not beaten Argentina after trailing 31-7 at halftime when they met earlier this month.
"The board's view is that clearly we were obviously delighted to see that record comeback in Argentina," Clyne said. "I think that's a good example this team has got extraordinary potential.
"We have a very tough Rugby Championship because we're playing against some of the best teams you'll ever play against, so we've seen some really great performances from this team.
"We had an extraordinary World Cup in 2015. The potential is there and that's why we think this is the right team and right coach to take us through there."
The Wallabies will next play the All Blacks in Japan for the third Bledisloe Cup Test before embarking on their November tour where they will play Wales, Italy and England.
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Latest Comments
33, unlikely?
It’s actually an interesting question, how does his RL career impact you perception of his ‘rugby age’?
I’d imagine he’s fresher than a 26 yo rugby player, he’s fitting and done more k’s, but had less impacts (unsure of his injuries).
Anyway, your conclusion doesn’t really hit the mark. What you’ve not asked yourself is would he be better at 33, with 6 years under his belt, than 28/9, and only 2 years experience. If he really is considering it a major goal of course, he may just want an Olympic medal and leave etc.
Still, in relation to your topic, what I suspected would be his thinking is the ever increasing value in playing in Japan. Perhaps he’d try and give this first WC a go, trying to make it in the All Blacks, obviously playing Super Rugby, then he’d take a much bigger contract in Japan? Learn how to run around people with better accuracy and consistency (rofl), and then return to NZ as an improved player to Australia 2027, with the hope to fine tune further and make the most of his marketability in the bonanza that America 2031 is going to leave behind. 33 is still prime earning age and who knows what the MLR market is going to be like them, if teams have started to have major backers etc.
It’s all about the money afterall (yes, I wasn’t referring to his ability re USA31’)!
Go to commentsNo, just an overly zealous fan who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
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