Mike Colman: There can only be one boss and Michael Cheika knows it
With the appointment of Scott Johnson to director of rugby, there’s finally some action from the people running Rugby Australia. It’s too bad it won’t work, writes MIKE COLMAN.
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Finally, some action from the people running Rugby Australia.
Too bad it won’t work. After the joke press conference held by RA chairman Cameron Clyne this week in which he told the media, “I would like to announce that I have nothing to announce” there has been a breakthrough.
Coach Michael Cheika will keep his job, but Scott Johnson will be brought in to keep an eye on him.
The return of Johnson, a former Sydney club coach and assistant to John Connolly at the 2007 World Cup who has been plying his trade in Europe for the past 10 years, was the worst kept secret in Australian rugby for months.
I was told in October that RA chief executive Raelene Castle was trying to get Johnson back into the fold. The only question was where she’d put him.
Now we know. Director of rugby, whatever that means.
The obvious scenario is that Johnson will take over from Cheika when he is knifed after next year’s World Cup. If he lasts that long. Personally, I have my doubts.
What Rugby Australia has done is buy some insurance. If things continue on their downward trajectory and the situation becomes even more terrible before the start of Japan 2019, they can just jettison Cheika and parachute Johnson in on his current salary. If not, Cheika can see out his contract and Johnson can slip straight in when he leaves. Simple as that. Or maybe not.
Having had a bit to do with Cheika, including covering the 2014 Spring Tour and 2015 Rugby World Cup, I can tell you he is not a man to accept supervision.
When he took on the job of Wallabies coach after the sudden departure of Ewen McKenzie, he had RA over a barrel. He wasn’t just the best man for the job, he was the only man. The deal he secured for himself made him the best-paid coach in the game. Not that he needs the money. He’s a multi-millionaire thanks to his success in the rag trade.
You think rugby is a tough game? You should try surviving in the world of international fashion.
Cheika not only survived, he prospered.
On that 2014 tour one of my fellow reporters mentioned that she rented a one-room apartment in a London Thames-side suburb where houses sell for tens of millions of pounds.
“Oh yeah,” said Cheika. “My partner and I own a couple of warehouses there.”
That same tour another reporter told me a story about Cheika.
He was coaching the NSW Waratahs at the time and my mate and a member of Cheika’s staff were talking about Connolly being hired by Queensland Rugby to help under-siege Reds coach Richard Graham.
Apparently Cheika was sitting nearby and overheard the conversation.
“It won’t work,” he said.
“Pardon?” my mate said.
“Connolly,” Cheika said.
“It won’t work. Trust me. In any organisation you can only have one boss.”
He was right of course. It didn’t work and Connolly successfully sued Queensland Rugby in court.
So good luck Cameron. Nice try Raelene. You think you’ve solved your problems? You ain’t seen nothing yet.
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Originally published as Mike Colman: There can only be one boss and Michael Cheika knows it
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