Michael Cheika plays mind games with his opposition

HE IS well known for egging on the opposition, and now Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has been called out on one of his most brazen tricks.

Australia's head coach Michael Cheika (L) and Australia's wing Adam Ashley-Cooper (R) deliver a press conference on October 2, 2015 at Twickenham Stadium in southwest London, on the eve of their 2015 Rugby Union World Cup match against England. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

WALLABY coach Michael Cheika is often praised for the hardline approach he takes with his teams, and is renowned for the unique style of coaching which saw immediate results within the Wallaby campaign early this year.

Following his success at Super Rugby level with New South Wales, and more recently with Australia, Cheika has developed a reputation as a tactical mastermind — one which both opposition players and coaches are extremely wary of.

However, as the Wallabies face their final opponent before the knock-out stages of the World Cup begins, the former Waratahs frontman may have met his match in Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

Speaking earlier this week, Cheika referred to Gatland as a “genius”, before appearing slightly cautious in his approach to the Kiwi-born coach.

“He’ll set you up and then try to sit you down,” Cheika told The Times.

“You saw when the Lions came to Australia, they played hard defence in all the lead-up games and then in the first Test they played jockey [drift] defence.

“So we’ve got to try not to make too many plans and have too much focus on the opposition.”

Cheika knows Warren Gatland is a difficult egg to crack.

The Aussie is well known for playing down the expectations of his side and complimenting the talents of the other team. Recently, he described the Wallabies as “the underdog” ahead of their clash with England.

Some thought the tactics were an attempt to lull rivals into a false sense of security - Cheika regularly looks to cause a stir within the camp of the opposing side.

Unfortunately for Australia, Cheika’s mind games have done nothing to fool Warren Gatland.

While Australia heads into the match likely favourites, the New Zealand-born coach passed off the comments of his coaching prowess as nothing more than a formality.

“He said the same the week before [about England coach Stuart Lancaster],” Gatland told Wales Online.

The 52-year-old then return served his own interpretation on the Cheika mind game tactics.

“He’s straight up, honest. Australians appreciate and respect that and he’s done a fantastic job. He’s a world-class coach,” Gatland said.

Gatland said his side was desperate to win on Sunday (AEDT) in order to give them the easiest run through the finals as possible.

While both teams have already qualified for the knockout stage after beating England in the past fortnight, the winner will avoid a quarter-final showdown with South Africa and a likely semi with reigning world champions, New Zealand.

Wallaby star Israel Folau has overcome an ankle injury, and will take the field against Wales.

But in order to achieve a much easier path toward the final, Wales must do something they haven’t done since November 2008, when they beat the Wallabies 21-18.

“We are desperate to win this game, because if you win this group and potentially your road through to quarters, semis and final is a little bit easier than on the other side of the draw,” Gatland said.

“The last five times against Australia, there has been a score in it. We’ve been ahead in games and not been able to finish it off.

“You learn from that, and experience comes from that.

“It showed in the autumn against South Africa. We closed that game down, and were brilliant in the last 15 minutes against England (12 days ago), coming from behind and showing maturity to close that game down.”

To that end, the role of the Wallabies’ bench “finishers” will be even more important than usual, with the likes of Kurtley Beale, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps and the replacement front row expected to come on and either ice the game — or rip it from Welsh hands.

McCalman may feel aggrieved at again being handed a finisher role despite the one-game suspension of vice-captain Michael Hooper opening up a spot in the starting back-row.

Cheika instead opted for hard-charging young gun Sean McMahon, who has played just six Tests but won man-of-the-match honours in his past two.

Sean McMahon has big shoes to fill, taking over from Wallaby vice-captain Michael Hooper.

McMahon’s selection causes the least disruption to the Wallabies’ ongoing selection, with David Pocock allowed to continue his fine progression in the No.8 role — instead of being moved back to No.7, which would’ve been likely had McCalman started.

Rob Simmons is another entrusted with a key finishing role, having been dumped as the team’s main line-out caller for Dean Mumm, who impressed off the bench against Fiji and England, captained the victory over Uruguay and has the most line-out steals this tournament.

“I think we’ve got a big influence this weekend in what the finishers can do but it’s as big as what the foundations were by those who came before,” said Mumm, who starts at lock alongside Kane Douglas.

“You go about it in a way that the game is there to be won then you come home with a strong bench.

“I do think we have a very strong bench, people who can influence a game.

“Then it’s about making sure that can happen and that has happened in previous games to (put) those guys in that position to have the influence.”

— with Joe Barton, AAP