Waratahs refusing to be distracted by Michael Cheika’s disciplinary case ahead of Bulls match

NSW don’t think Michael Cheika’s judiciary hearing will be a distraction for the Waratahs ahead of their crucial clash with the Bulls.

MICHAEL Cheika’s tangle with the SANZAR judiciary hearing on Wednesday night will not be a distraction for the Waratahs ahead of their crucial clash with the Bulls on Saturday, believes Tahs assistant coach Nathan Grey.

Cheika will be the subject of a judicial hearing at 5.30pm after it was alleged the Waratahs coach confronted a Supersport cameraman during NSW’s loss to the Sharks in Durban last month.

Media reports at the time alleged an agitated Cheika abused and threatened the camera operator, who was filming the coach on the sideline in the ill-tempered match.

A TV still of Waratahs coach Michael Cheika on the sideline during the game against the Sharks.

After conducting an investigation SANZAR ordered Cheika to face a judicial hearing — via teleconference — presided over by New Zealand lawyer Nigel Hampton.

SANZAR’s short release said the hearing was “in accordance with SANZAR’s disciplinary rules”. But in an oddly secretive fashion, the administrative body has since refused to state publicly what Cheika is charged with or what section of the SANZAR code of conduct he has breached.

A SANZAR spokesman said such detail would be contained in Hampton’s final judgment.

The Waratahs and Cheika have engaged a lawyer to advise them in the judicial hearing, although rumours emerged on Tuesday night that SANZAR are contemplating delaying and rescheduling the inquiry, again for unknown reasons.

Another TV still of Cheika exiting up the tunnel after his alleged sideline altercation.

The Waratahs on Tuesday refused to comment on whether Cheika would dispute the allegations.

Making it tough to mount a defence is the fact the allegations don’t appear to be uniform.

It is understood SANZAR gathered four different versions of what Cheika allegedly said to the cameraman, and that’s not counting the testimony of the Waratahs coach and his staff, who were seated next to him.

Grey said Cheika’s disciplinary issues have not impacted on the team this week.

“(Cheika) has taken that and is dealing with that, so from his perspective to the team, the week’s preparation has been no different to any other,” Grey said.

Nathan Grey: “The week’s preparation has been no different to any other.”

“He is very thorough and very focused and his full attention has been on preparing the side the best possible way to play the Bulls.

“The guys are focused on each task, and this is a pretty bloody tough competition the guys are competing in.

“You need to be focused very keenly on not only wrapping up the team you just played but pushing onto the next one coming around the corner very quickly.

“Everyone is just focused on what they need to do and letting the people who can sort and control the things outside. do it. The side has been very focused from that perspective.”