As for Cheika, it shouldn't be up to the national coach to teach elite players to pass, catch, kick and tackle, it's his job to coach a team that can put it all together. If we had done those basics right we would probably still have lost, but by a far smaller margin.
Hooper being used as a line out option will do me. That was a joke.
Even players like Hooper and Poey who normally make dominate tackles looked weaker then usual.
I was shocked.
I think in hindsight I'm very glad I went out for dinner and didn't watch this game. I doubt I'll watch the replay either. Dark times in Camp Wallaby. The thing is though, who are the alternatives? If this is the best we can put out there then I would suggest the game is in trouble in this country.
Not an admission by coaching and selection staff though. Hooper just didn't suddenly jump. They must have actually trained for it and thought they would get a result. Symptom of a coach that thinks being smart is going away from the basics and doing sneaky things to gain an advantage. Just embarrassing really embarrassing.Its a joke alright but its also an admission that the selection was unbalanced: using him proves we didn't pick enough line out jumpers.
It was a bad loss but did anyone really think we would win?
.
A week is a long time in sport. I would expect improvement. If not, then sacking the coach is to be flagged as an option.
But who gets the gig?
Can't believe Cheika didn't start Fardy. Pocock was the best on park for mine. Folau has to go to 13. Surely he needs to have the ball in his hands more often than what he got last nite. Hopefully that is the last time Giteau starts a Wallaby Test. I know he got something like 8mins but the left boot that is apparently so important to the team cost them the first try. Too bad about To'omua and Christian is obviously just a sad situation.
Long term, the Wallabies MUST find ways to keep the likes of Genia and QC (Quade Cooper) in Australia and not just playing but developing and improving.
Hooper being used as a line out option will do me. That was a joke.
I think the Pocock/Hooper thing should be shelved, well I haven't seen it look good against the All Blacks, and the loss of a lineout jumper is hurting Wallabies too much. Perhaps use Pockock/Hooper should be used in the right matches, but it seems to me to be a flat track bully combo. Am I now allowed to say the same with Kuridrani, I know I never been a huge fan (think he thebackline version of Cliffy Palu), I really think he needs to be saved for teams that get a bit scared when they see a big Islander run at them!!
Bingo. Cheika has to take responsibility for the loss, overall. Of that there can be no question. But the NATURE of the loss is down to execution.
The people calling for the national coach to turn water into wine are all wrong. It is never an expectation for any coach at professional level to do this. The talent must be right, otherwise they shouldn't be selected.
A week is a long time in sport. I would expect improvement. If not, then sacking the coach is to be flagged as an option.
But who gets the gig?