So, what HAS Michael Cheika actually done as a coach?
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OK, take away the Waratahs Super win as that was on a refs cock up, and the RWC final, as that was on another refs cock up. ( I know, they're in the books, blah blah blah, but really, if you're selecting a coach, you would not look at those as great achievements - unless luck is something that you want to use)!!!<
That leaves, what?
Thanks to Wiki, a Heineken Cup with Leinster, and sod all else.
Is he really, really coach of the year, and an international class coach?
Thoughts from our Aussies? and Kiwis.
And apologies if this has already been bought up, it's been a while since I fired up the old Commodore 64 and jumped on the Fern!
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<p>Not as good as Shag, far better than many, many other coaches out there.</p>
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- Has too much man love for Quade<br>2) Over rates Dean Mumm<br><br><br>I don't know he is better than Robbie Deans at least.<br><br>I also get the feeling that if you took Graham Henry and told him to coach the Wallabies he would also have mixed results. I think a drunk mule could have a 50%<br>winning record coaching the ABs by comparison. Basically whoever we pick seems to play well. For example Sam Cane may not be the best choice for a 7,<br>but he turns up and isn't a liability when he plays for the ABs. The only person who I can recall playing badly when picked was Francis Sailli (sp?)<br>Basically what I am saying is that I don't think you can go too far wrong from a selection point of view and it is an easy coaching job compared<br>to other gigs.<br><br>All that said I like other fans question Cheika's choices at times. But yeah, I wouldn't dream of being coach of Australia myself, coaching from your<br>arm chair is also an easy gig.
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<p>has he made them better though? Rankings, schmankings. True that on the Rugby Championship last year, forgot about that, it always palews into significance in RWC year, i believe Robbie won it in 2011 too, not that anyone remembers...</p>
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<p>Saturday will be closer than last week though, Aussies will come out swinging, literally. may even be ahead at halftime. But that'll be it.</p> -
Many kiwis rated deans the best coach going around , then he coached the wallabies ,<br><br>Its always easier when you have the best players , that is for sure .
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="608963" data-time="1472117738"><p>Many kiwis rated deans the best coach going around , then he coached the wallabies ,<br><br>Its always easier when you have the best players , that is for sure .</p></blockquote><br>Yeah, well said, this is essentially what I was trying to say with my long winded post.
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I cant believe im saying this ,<br><br>But im a bit concerned for Australian rugby to be honest ,<br><br>years ago when they were a powerhouse I wouldve thought I would be celebrating this ,<br><br>but for the benefit of international rugby , im not so sure this is good thing if we keep flogging them
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="BartMan" data-cid="608966" data-time="1472117982"><p>WEll at this stage I think the Aussies are going backwards.<br> <br>But we'll see when they play the Boers and the Argies.</p></blockquote><br>I don't think they are going backwards they are just static and havn't improved. I do think they will go backwards this week at a rate of knots with Quade being on the field...but then he will be dropped<br>and sent back to inner sanctum of rugby purgatory where he belongs.<br><br>England have stepped up a level and had they been that good at the world cup would have made the final and with a home crowd may have even knocked us off.<br>Please note the detail, "with a home crowd", which is an immense advantage in a world cup final.<br><br>I think other teams have just moved forward this year.<br><br>New Zealand are a mystery to me. Their whole performance in this year's Super XV competition was out of the box. 4 teams, the Saders, Chiefs, Canes, and Landers<br>played test match standard rugby all year and would beat most international teams in the world not named England. I don't know why we blossomed this year. But it happened.<br>Somehow New Zealand rugby is going through a purple patch. Maybe it is just because Barrett, Lima, and Cruden are entering their prime years.<br>Or maybe the all blacks who won the world cup last year grew in confidence and it effected their provincial team mates. Whatever the reason the ABs are better.
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<p>With reference to the 'new rucks law rant' thread, maybe the opportunity for players and coaches to be part of the trialling process and see & experience the direction the law makers want to go in creates a more adaptable and versatile mindset which when the chips are down results in quicker decision making.</p>
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<p>The quicker and more decisive decision making is the difference, not the physical any more. The other nations have caught up in that respect.</p> -
<p>Physical we have always been behind or equal, and have always have had to be better in the top two inches. Boers are HUGE, Poms are gym monkeys, then it's us and the rest of the rugby world in bronze for the size stakes. We just use what we have, by and large better than the rest. Blitzkreig rugby - concentreate our force where they are weakest!!</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="608969" data-time="1472118577"><p>I cant believe im saying this ,<br><br>But im a bit concerned for Australian rugby to be honest ,<br><br>years ago when they were a powerhouse I wouldve thought I would be celebrating this ,<br><br>but for the benefit of international rugby , im not so sure this is good thing if we keep flogging them</p></blockquote><br>I will going ABs by 13+ on the TAB and I probably won't even get good odds for my bet. This could be a record breaking hiding on the weekend.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="BartMan" data-cid="608974" data-time="1472120024">
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<p>Physical we have always been behind or equal, and have always have had to be better in the top two inches. Boers are HUGE, Poms are gym monkeys, then it's us and the rest of the rugby world in bronze for the size stakes. We just use what we have, by and large better than the rest. Blitzkreig rugby - concentreate our force where they are weakest!!</p>
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<p>For physical read dynamic, a balance between size, speed & endurance.</p>
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<p>The ABs have led the field in that respect since rugby went professional.</p>
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<p>Possibly before ;)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="BartMan" data-cid="608966" data-time="1472117982">
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<p>WEll at this stage I think the Aussies are going backwards.</p>
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<p>But we'll see when they play the Boers and the Argies.</p>
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<p>I feel like the Aussies are going backwards too but I don't think Chieka's the one to blame for it, just look at how shit the Aussie Super teams were this season (aside from a couple of games, like the Brumbies vs Canes and Tahs vs Chiefs). Still think they're capable of an upset when the stars align though.</p>
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<p>Good to see you back, Bart.</p> -
<p>Hope so, but I'm thinking a tough first half, lots of scuffles etc before they run out of puff and agro.</p>
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<p>SUper rugby is shit, yes, but you only need 22 decent players - if you;re not injured all the time thouhg. So long as your mountain peak is the same height as everyone elses, it doesn't matter how wide the base is! Unless injuries that is.</p>
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<p>We're starting our 5th best 2nd 5 this week! Nonu, SBW, Crotty, Ngati, ALB. That's what the base is all about!</p>
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<p>Cheers, thought I had better see what is happening on the Fern!</p> -
<p>I'm not sold on the idea we have been "flogging" them. Last year they beat us, then switched their team around & lost to us in NZ - where they almost always lose to us.</p>
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<p>They were pretty good in the world cup - certainly the 2nd best team there, I can't think of any other team that could have clawed back from the 50 minute position in the final, and but for Barretts last minute opportunitst that wasn't a thrashing. Especially not given they lost the guy who had been pivotal at running their team 10 minutes in.</p>
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<p>Last week they were shithouse, but half their team hadn't played in months & again, their key play maker & both replacement got broken... The England games were tight & most on here badley under-rate the current pom team. </p>
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<p>No question Aussie has depth issues & the wider Super comp has fucked their combinations, but I don't think they are about to drop out of all contention</p>
