Wallabies coach Michael Cheika opens up on the Wallabies and the future of Australian rugby
THE exclusive Michael Cheika interview you have to hear as the Wallabies coach gives his view on all things Australian rugby. LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST HERE.
Opinion
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LISTEN to Michael Cheika’s exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph’s Jamie Pandaram as the Australian mentor opens up on the state of Australian rugby, the Wallabies transition into a new era and the divides that may threaten the future of the game.
The Wallabies are preparing for their first Grand Slam tour in several years and after a tough domestic season Cheika says it would be easy to focus on the negatives.
But the Wallabies mentor urged fans to focus on the positives of the last 12 months and band together for the good of the code.
MICHAEL CHEIKA ON ALL THINGS AUSTRALIAN RUGBY
When asked what he’s thought about the past 12 months he responded: “I’ve loved this year”, despite the difficulties on the field.
“I like it when it’s tough and maybe not going well.
“No one likes losing games more than me ... sometimes you have to take the pain to get the gain later on.
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“We knew the age profile of the team had to change.
“I’ve never had to do it this way before because with a club team you can buy a player or bring a player in. Here, it’s a genuine renovation for you and there’s no easy games.”
Cheika also urges passionate rugby fans around the country to unite their efforts for the good of the code.
“The bigger picture for rugby is not the results of the national team but reunification of the game.”
TIMESTAMPS
00:00-3:32: How the Wallabies are approaching the Grand Slam
3:32-6:54: The challenges of helping the Wallabies move into a new era.
7:22-10:52: The long-term benefits of the struggles of 2016 and what Cheika himself has learned from this season.
10:52-19:00: How Australian rugby can confront some of the long-term issues that confront the code.
19:00-25:26: Why a Grand Slam would only paper over the cracks and the task of navigating Australian rugby’s negative attitude.
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