Waratahs coach Michael Cheika says while Lions record isn’t great they still pose many dangers

THE Lions have never won in Sydney and have lost their last ten games against the Tahs, but Michael Cheika insists the tourists are no easybeats.

THE threat of a six-month suspension has made it “too dangerous” for Michael Cheika to publicly speak his mind but the Waratahs coach won’t hesitate to colourfully stress the danger of the Lions to his team behind closed doors.

Cheika yesterday ended a self-imposed media ban that has seen him stay silent — outside of match day obligations — since he came under investigation seven weeks ago for abusing a cameraman in South Africa.

A drawn-out judiciary process eventually saw Cheika found guilty and given a suspended six-month ban, which will kick in if he again breaches SANZAR’s code of conduct.

Cheika said while he wouldn’t tone down his infamous passion when dealing with his team, the fear of tripping up a wide-ranging SANZAR lawbook will see him flatten out in public.

“Obviously I have been less involved with the press because I can’t always say what I want to say, because it’s too dangerous. I’ll just stay quiet on the outside but with my team nothing will change,” Cheika said.

“I won’t be changing my personal situation at all. Maybe on the outside yes, that has to change, but definitely with my team not at all. I want to enjoy myself as well, that’s how I am and that’s how I’ll stay.”

The Waratahs meet the Lions on Sunday afternoon and a thick book of stats suggest the Johannesburg team will continue to be NSW’s bunnies.

The African side have never won at Allianz Stadium, have lost their last ten games against the Tahs — the longest NSW streak against any club — and have only won one of their last 15 matches on the road. News_Rich_Media: Waratahs coach Michael Cheika insists his coaching style will not change after breaking his silence since an altercation with a South African cameraman two months ago.

But while bookies rated them $8 longshots, Cheika said the Tahs will be regarding their last away loss as a win; a nailbiting 23-22 defeat against the Highlanders in Dunedin in which they trailed 23-0.

“I thought they were very unfortunate not to win it. So that’d be a win on the road against a top six team,” Cheika said.

“Every opposition gets respected the way it should be. There hasn’t even been a skerrick of thinking about those elements, it’s all about doing the job right ... and building our momentum as well. We haven’t had back-to-back victories since the first two weekends of the competition.”

Fearing the strength of the Lions scrum, Cheika drafted in 135kg lock Will Skelton to the starting side but otherwise stuck with the same XV who beat the Hurricanes.

Jacques Potgieter returns to a bench that saw two potential debutants named: reserve hooker Hugh Roach and giant winger Taqele Nayaravaro.

The massive Fijian back — an imposing 120kg and 195cm — played just one club rugby game after being signed from the Wests Tigers last week but Cheika said he had faith Nayaravaro could handle Super Rugby if called on.

“If we don’t have a go and have a look at him now, we may not have a look at him at all this season,” he said. “No risk, no reward I say. But I don’t want to build it up.

It is still going to be a measured entree into Super Rugby for him, if he gets any time at all. It is probably just about getting in there, getting pitchside and a look at the atmosphere, seeing how fast the game is going.”

Fellow winger Alofa Alofa will also be on the bench, with Jono Lance sent back to club rugby to get game time.

“Obviously we can cover the centre well with both Rob Horne and Matt Carraro on the field,” Cheika said.