So, what HAS Michael Cheika actually done as a coach?
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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>I think that's historical and these days we run out with packs the same size as everyone now. In the past few years we've had heavier scrums that both those teams on various occasions (and if we'd selected Tubbyfuna we'd always have had bigger packs than them).</p>
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<p>We've actually beaten the Boks and Poms recently by beating them up in the forwards. </p>
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<p>But I think it's a combo of us getting bigger, and those teams realising might isn't always right.</p>
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<p>Anyway, good to see you back for a cameo Bart.</p> -
Great to see you back Bart!<br><br>
Cheika is a good coach, but he isn't the second coming like certain people think he is. -
Depth is only part of the issue.<br>
If you look at this year's selections Cheika is all over the place. <br>
Two games ago the Oz pack delivered 75% possession against the Poms, who are no pushovers, and yet neither starting lock made the current squad (one injured I think). Contrast with Shag & Co's development approach where the continuity means if you can't pick 13 of the starting line up you must be clueless.<br>
And recent policy of having shadow squad is only going to improve depth.<br>
Bring on Saturday! -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="BartMan" data-cid="608951" data-time="1472116447">
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<p>OK, take away the Waratahs Super win as that was on a refs cock up,</p>
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<p>Are you going to take it away and give it to Toddy?</p>
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<p>He will be pleased to have won one after all. :)</p>
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<p>Nice to see you, Bartman!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="609064" data-time="1472164225">
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<p>I think that's historical and these days we run out with packs the same size as everyone now. In the past few years we've had heavier scrums that both those teams on various occasions (and if we'd selected Tubbyfuna we'd always have had bigger packs than them).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We've actually beaten the Boks and Poms recently by beating them up in the forwards. </p>
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<p>But I think it's a combo of us getting bigger, and those teams realising might isn't always right.</p>
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<p>Anyway, good to see you back for a cameo Bart.</p>
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<p>although I know in the lead up to the Super rugby final, people who had been around both the Lions and canes camps were amazed at how big the SA players were and wondering how the canes would match it...we know they did, but seems for now, they are still looking bigger.</p> -
<p>I feel like the mods should set a limit on newbies starting threads. Let's make it a minimum of 56,000 posts before you're allowed to create a new topic. That should keep those muscle-bound former Swamp Foxes out of our hair.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="609088" data-time="1472169576">
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<p>although I know in the lead up to the Super rugby final, people who had been around both the Lions and canes camps were amazed at how big the SA players were and wondering how the canes would match it...we know they did, but seems for now, they are still looking bigger.</p>
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<p>I just had a quick look through both squad's heights and weights and the stats don't say they're bigger - maybe the fact the Canes selected two midget locks (under 2m) by choice makes it look difference but Broadhurst is as big (actually bigger I think) as any lock the Lions have, Vito is bigger than Whitely - in fact the Canes loose forward trio are all bigger than their opposites, the props are much of a muchness with May probably being the biggest in the two squads. So either peoples eyes aren't an accurate gauge of height and weight or the official websites are incorrect and if Ardie isn't in fact 6ft 7 then my faith in humanity has gone.</p> -
<p>dunno, always been that perception though hasn't it, perception vs reality though. See these guys on TV and think they will be huge, then you stand next to them and nup, but someone you don't think is huge, is....I barely came upto Ardie's chest and by Fern height, I'm 6ft 2!</p>
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<p>May is a huge unit though!</p> -
<p>Those white Saffers all seem to have farking massive broad shoulders which makes them look bigger/heavier then they are.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="609113" data-time="1472175778">
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<p>dunno, always been that perception though hasn't it, perception vs reality though. See these guys on TV and think they will be huge, then you stand next to them and nup, but someone you don't think is huge, is....I barely came upto Ardie's chest and by Fern height, I'm 6ft 2!</p>
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<p>May is a huge unit though!</p>
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<p>Did you get a good look at Ardie's shoes? May have been wearing lifts.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="609013" data-time="1472135261">
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<p>The England to Whitewash Australia thread before the series started is worth a reread for a good laugh. A rallying cry was "Look how far the team have come from McKenzie". They had two solid performances against NZ in his last year including a draw and last minute loss.</p>
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<p>A few also wax lyrical about his inspirational press conferences being integral to his wizardry. Now his press conferences resemble a sad puppy dog pouting that people are kicking him while he is down.</p>
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<p>The thing is the easiest time to coach is in your first year where you can shake up selection, tactics, captaincy etc, second easiest time is a world cup year when you have maximum buy in. Cheika had both at once. Now he has to build something over 4 years, this is a completely different gig than what he did in the 12 month sprint he did last year.</p>
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<p>Lastly twice in the past seven games Cheika has taken full blame for stuffing up the preparation - the Scottish QF and then last week. Either this is a tactic which will have diminishing returns or it's the truth in which case do you want someone who bottles it so regularly in high pressure fixtures.</p>
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<p>A large part of Cheika's undoing (along with Deans and McKensie) is that they have too much ego to hire a decent assistant panel. Steve Hansen I'm sure has had the odd poor week or unfocused week or pushed the wrong buttons - but he has a team around him that is going to be able to compensate for that and challenge him before he goes too far down the wrong path. Cheika has assembled an army of yes-men and rookies rather than a panel of equals.</p>
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<p>Make sure the referee's changing shed is locked this week that's all I can say.</p>
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<p>well, i reckon i would rather have 4 years to plan and perform a job than 1. also who are these yes men and rookies? larkham and grey? ledesma? byrne?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="609030" data-time="1472155641"><p>Excuse me, we don't allow trolls on this site, so on your way newbie......</p></blockquote>I can't believe a troll would use a commodore 64..
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="609135" data-time="1472187918"><p>Did you get a good look at Ardie's shoes? May have been wearing lifts.</p></blockquote>Played serious rugby in lifts? Seriously? Don't remember 'Prince' as a loose forward..
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="609103" data-time="1472173045"><p>I feel like the mods should set a limit on newbies starting threads. Let's make it a minimum of 56,000 posts before you're allowed to create a new topic. That should keep those muscle-bound former Swamp Foxes out of our hair.</p></blockquote>
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And besides, what's he ever done for us? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="609260" data-time="1472205319"><p>well, i reckon i would rather have 4 years to plan and perform a job than 1. also who are these yes men and rookies? larkham and grey? ledesma? byrne?</p></blockquote>
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Yeah that Byrne guy - what a fucking hopeless unit. What's his story? Done anything decent?<br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="609118" data-time="1472176877">
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<p>Those white Saffers all seem to have farking massive broad shoulders which makes them look bigger/heavier then they are.</p>
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<p>And very square jaws.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="609306" data-time="1472219844">
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<p>Played serious rugby in lifts? Seriously? Don't remember 'Prince' as a loose forward..</p>
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<p>Yes, totally seriously.</p>
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<p>Never knew taniwharugby had played Ardie though.</p> -
<p>Well, after tonight, we can confirm he is the the leading coach in swearing in world rugby.</p>
