This was published 5 years ago
Rugby Australia still backing Cheika despite 'universal frustration'
By Tom Decent
Rugby Australia is battling on and off the pitch with the Wallabies on the ropes and Australia losing out to New Zealand on hosting rights for the 2021 women's World Cup.
But RA boss Raelene Castle stood firm in Europe on Wednesday, acknowledging that while there was “universal frustration” at the Wallabies' performances and a review was on the cards, the position of under siege coach Michael Cheika was safe.
Discuss: Castle will meet with Cheika over Australia's poor recent form.Credit: Brook Mitchell
Under Cheika, the Wallabies have won just three of their last 13 matches and 16 of 40 Tests since the 2015 World Cup final.
The team is in Padua preparing for a match against Italy; a side they have not lost to in 17 matches stretching back to 1983. The Australians are coming off a tryless 9-6 loss to Wales in Cardiff.
Pressure is mounting on the team and RA but Castle and her board have no appetite to change those in charge less than a year out from a World Cup.
Before the Wallabies departed for the spring tour, Castle said it was Cheika’s expectation the team would win all three matches in Europe. So far, they are none from one, with fixtures against Italy and England remaining over the next two Saturdays.
Speaking after Australia’s failed bid for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, Castle addressed the state of the Wallabies after yet another loss that has left rusted on fans dismayed at the state of the men’s national team.
“[There is] universal frustration,” Castle said. “You know the effort is there, you know the focus is there and it was a tremendous arm wrestle that could have gone either way, so I think it certainly wasn’t a game where we were far away.
“We could have ended up with a win. I know no one is more frustrated than the players themselves and they will be looking to turn that around this weekend.”
The Rugby World Cup begins next September in Japan and how the Wallabies will fare is anyone’s guess, although the indicators are obviously far from encouraging.
Cheika will meet with RA at the conclusion of the tour for a proper debrief and the code’s governing body will conduct a report into finding out whether change in the form of coaching staff or other personnel needs to occur.
Castle reiterated her position that Cheika had RA’s support even after an eighth loss this year.
“At the end of the day, Michael’s contract goes through to the World Cup,” Castle said. “We’ve said that publicly and we’re continuing to support that stance. There is a review at the end of every year.
Officials keep singing from the same hymn sheet publicly, but the results and performances have been discouraging.Credit: PA
“There is no doubt that that’s become even more important because of our performances but the review will identify the areas that we need to focus on as we move on to that very important World Cup next year.”
Cheika has full faith he and his assistant coaches - Stephen Larkham, Nathan Grey, Simon Raiwalui and Mick Byrne - are the right men to lead Australia to the World Cup.
“All I can do is get the guys improving on the things we didn’t do well today," Cheika said immediately after Australia's three-point loss in Cardiff.
"This one went against us. Those things have happened to us this year. It hasn’t always gone for us and you’ve got to take that on the chin.
“We didn’t do well today and get a win. If people are losing faith, [we can] get a bit of that back with a good performance next Saturday.”