England to whitewash Australia
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="584999" data-time="1464971660"><p>
From where Aus were when Cheika took over to where he took them in a short space of time, he'd have to be up there.</p></blockquote>
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He took over after a one point loss to the world champion All Blacks and a draw against them earlier in that 3 match series. Their 2014 TRC on the field was pretty respectable given the quality of competition (4 best teams in the world, home and away).<br><br>
Australia were in the same place they are now - in the conversation for 2nd best team in the world. The Gitteau rule should have put them over the top in the short term but hasn't. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="584994" data-time="1464960511">
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<p>If you are going to be as granular as that </p>
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<p>That's the only evidence presented in regard to comparing Cheika's TRC history versus Link's TRC history.</p>
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<p>So yeah, I <em>am</em> going to be as granular as that, because some numpty strapped on their "Fuck All Aussies" dildo before logging into the Fern that day, and left the thinking cap at home.</p>
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<p>To recap:</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="584944" data-time="1464925607">
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<p>Yeah, but considering the utter shit storm that went down with Link, getting the team to the final - by whatever means - was a fairly good achievement.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="584952" data-time="1464928072">
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<p>Compare the utter shit of McKenzie vs the greatness of Cheika in the context of 3N/TRC competition?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="584954" data-time="1464930572">
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<p>You mean how Cheika has 1 trophy from 1 attempt? Undefeated? </p>
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<p>Fuck's sake all you had to do was say "Fair enough" followed by your reference to pudding.</p>
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<p>Its not that hard. I was even going to go on to say EOYT wasn't good enough from Cheika, despite picking through the bones of Link's system. I didn't, because why feed your little engine?</p> -
Tbf Cheika had a pretty handy and experienced team to work with at the RWC. Not saying he hasn't improved things considerably, but it's not like he took over a team of no-hopers. <br><br>
In other words, the handjobs should be postponed at least until the end of the RC. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="585027" data-time="1464997113">
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<p>Tbf Cheika had a pretty handy and experienced team to work with at the RWC. Not saying he hasn't improved things considerably, but it's not like he took over a team of no-hopers.</p>
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<p>And his initial issues were on display for all to see on that EOYT. I guess he didn't really improve them as individuals, but he just changed the way the team was performing. That took time - he's not the fucking Messiah.</p>
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<p>Getting the whole Giteau Rule thing was a smart move, but I think a lot of us didn't think it was going to be too long-term, or called on except in the case of a few holes we needed filling. Not like he was about to call back 20 blokes from Europe, firstly because a lot of them didn't meet the criteria, but secondly because we actually had talent onshore that was at least as good. AND hardened in the SH competitions.</p>
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<p>There are a few things being said in dark corridors about Link's management style compared to Cheika's, and that is the primary difference apparently. Link wasn't that bothered by the off-field stuff as long as you did the work on the park, according to people I've spoken to. That information is third-hand so garnish with salt, but it matches what we saw in the handling of Beale, the Dublin incident (where the players in trouble were banned the next week "because the team was already set") and a few other individuals.</p> -
<p>Cheika's plaudits had as much to do with style as they did results.</p>
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<p>He is very different to other coaches. I've sat in countless pressers with Cheik, and he is utterly captivating. He has a way of speaking that is so refreshing, cutting bullshit and coming across as totally authentic. It is not dissimilar to Eddie Jones or Steve Hanson, but it's not the same either. The media are just as much in his spell as I am.</p>
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<p>It flows through everything - the way he talks to and about players, the way he deals with officials and adminitstrators, the way he creates a culture within the teams he coaches. His players would run through walls for him, and his spell on the Waratahs players was a key contributing factor in Link's downfall.</p>
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<p>That's before the players even run on the field. And when they do they play physical, aggressive footy that is bloody good to watch. He turns Super powderpuffs into Test warriors. </p>
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<p>Does this make him the best coach in the world? God knows. Deciding who the 'best' is in rugby is a pointless exercise. Cheika was the best coach for the Wallabies at that time, and achieved great results. Steve Hanson is a great coach and achieved even better results. Switch them around and things may be totally different. Or the same. Who knows.</p>
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<p>Hansen and Cheika will both go down as all-time greats of the game, deservedly so. Speaking for all rugby fans in Aus- we've never felt so excited about a coach as we do Cheika. We fucking love him, and I can't remember such positivity before a Wallaby season as is the case right now.</p> -
Fark me Barbarian you're not half building him up. I hope for your sake this is a good season for you guys. If not that will be a massive high to come down from.
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<p>Yeah but that's the problem with optimism, isn't it. Just makes the fall longer and the impact harder when you come crashing back to earth.</p>
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<p>I don't think Aussie fans expect the world, though. A series loss to England would be unacceptable, but with two games in NZ we all know the Bled won't be coming home this year.</p> -
<p>I think most Aussies have set the bar at: Beat England 3-zip, but 2-1 at least.</p>
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<p>Beat the ABs at least once.</p>
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<p>Losses to Argentina or South Africa are probably unacceptable. </p>
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<p>But really, its about seeing more consistency and a style of rugby that makes people sit up and take notice.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="585071" data-time="1465016561">
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<p>Well he said he will go down as one, mentioned in the same breath as Hansen. They're worlds apart.</p>
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<p>Maybe to you.</p>
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<p>But he took the Waratahs to the title, and the Wallabies to the World Cup final. That's enough for the Hall of Fame in Aussie terms, regardless of what happens from here.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="585073" data-time="1465017309">
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<p>Maybe to you.</p>
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<p>But he took the Waratahs to the title, and the Wallabies to the World Cup final. That's enough for the Hall of Fame in Aussie terms, regardless of what happens from here.</p>
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<p>So he's in the Hall of Fame next to Eddie Jones then?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="585075" data-time="1465017839">
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<p>I'm sure it's not only to me.</p>
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<p>Nope, not only to you. Hanson seems almost comatose most of the time when interviewed so I doubt we'd see the idiocy from him we saw when Chaika was tahs coach and previously.</p>
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<p>Cue " he's a showing some passion for his team" or variation thereof for dickheadish behaviour.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="585077" data-time="1465018365">
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<p>So he's in the Hall of Fame next to Eddie Jones then?</p>
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<p>Eddie had the same pedigee (Super title, RWC final) so yes.</p>
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<p>I'm not saying he's the greatest of all time. But my point was his record as a great coach is safe, at least in the minds of Waratahs fans like me.</p>
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<p>You guys probably don't see it that way- that's fine. I'm not really trying to argue with you. I'm a massive fan of his and am not going to hide that, as you guys probably are with Hansen.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="585039" data-time="1465002968"><p>
Yeah but that's the problem with optimism, isn't it. Just makes the fall longer and the impact harder when you come crashing back to earth.<br><br>
I don't think Aussie fans expect the world, though. A series loss to England would be unacceptable, but with two games in NZ we all know the Bled won't be coming home this year.</p></blockquote>
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Well I hope they do well mate, but obviously not too well (:<br><br>
I could be completely off the reservation here, but I can't help feeling that there's a bit of an Alan Jones thing about Cheika. A very good coach, meticulous, highly successful outside of rugby, demands very high standards, players devoted to him. But, has an abrasive personality and arrogance that will eventually piss people off and cause problems. <br><br>
I remember Roger Gould said that Jones was easily the best coach he'd played under but after a while he'd had jack of him. I just wonder if Cheika is one of those coaches. -
<p>I disagree slightly with Nick, I think that's a good analogy in some ways. He has pissed plenty of people off behind closed doors at the Tahs and Wallabies, but it seems he picks fights with suits not players.</p>
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<p>Time will tell, but he's into year 4 with some players and there are no outward signs of cracking yet. A lot of Jones' problems were of their time- he was being paid a motza while the players got nothing, which was one reason why it all went belly up in the end.</p>
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<p>I don't think he has the ego that Jones does. Seems very grounded to me... 3 kids under 5 will do that to you, though.</p>
