Share

We'll have our work cut out against Irish - Cheika

Dublin - Australia will face the sternest of challenges against Ireland next Saturday as they bid to maintain their quest to emulate the 1984 Wallabies and achieve a Grand Slam over the Home Nations, said coach Michael Cheika.

The 49-year-old - who picked up a demoralised Australian side and within a year guided them to the 2015 World Cup final - has overseen victories over two of the Home Nations Wales and Scotland as well as France.

However he admitted on Monday two fine performances by the Irish against world champions New Zealand suggested his team were in for a tough day at the office.

Ireland registered a first ever victory over the All Blacks in Chicago followed by a close run 21-9 defeat on Saturday.

"I haven't actually seen the games yet," said Cheika.

"It's not my job too but the other coaches have.

"I've been doing my part of the job which is to concentrate on our team.

"I have watched the highlights and from the look of those they were good encounters and we have our work cut out for us as they got closer to the All Blacks in those two games than we did in the three we played against New Zealand.

"New Zealand are the standard bearer for the game at the moment. Although with a couple of decisions and different bounces of the ball in Chicago..."

Cheika, who expected second choice mercurial fly-half Quade Cooper to return to training on Monday, said he had instilled in the less experienced players in the squad the difficulty of the task facing them.

"We've got new lads and I've told them how difficult it is to win over here in the Northen Hemisphere," said Cheika.

Their sides are buoyed by their crowds and it is a real challenge for all the Southern Hemisphere sides.

"We've all had tough games and looking ahead to Saturday for us it is all about resetting at zero and saying this is going to be the most difficult game of the tour."

Cheika, who knows Ireland well having had a successful spell as coach of Irish province Leinster guiding them to the first of their three European Cup victories in 2009, said he would be looking to the players he allowed to miss the France match - like influential flanker Michael Hooper - to get back into the swing of things.

"I wouldn't say they had a week of de luxe relaxing with their feet up on the table," said Cheika.

"They had some time off and some of it working but all of them have had a big load this year.

"Last week wasn't about giving guys a break but giving others an opportunity.

"They will be quick smart back into training and into the swing of things."

Cheika, who also guided the Waratahs to the Super Rugby title in 2014 making him the only coach to win both hemisphere's most prestigious regional club competitions, said one player who will have to be watched come Saturday is injury-plagued flanker Sean O'Brien, who made an outstanding return to the Ireland side against New Zealand on Saturday.

"He's a good lad and I won't lie about it I tried to sign him when I moved to Stade Francais.

"He is a quality player and I feel for him a bit because of the number of injuries he has had.

"But like a thoroughbred racehorse who comes back from injury and wins every time he returns he plays like he hasn't been away. He is straight in there."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1224 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1420 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2155 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE