Reality Cheik that Wallabies can’t cop
MICHAEL Cheika may find himself in hot water with World Rugby officials after he was caught by television cameras in his Twickenham coaching box shouting “f…ing cheats” after a contentious refereeing decision in Australia’s 30-6 loss to England early yesterday.
The issue escalated during a gruff post-match TV interview when he was asked about the blow up.
“No, I never said ... what are you talking (about). Is that really what it’s come to?,” an exasperated Cheika said. “Yeah maybe I did swear. It happens sometimes in life. I’m sure you have as well.”
Australia were on the wrong end of three desperately tight refereeing calls.
The Wallabies coach, who has built a team culture based on “no excuses”, took exception to a try being disallowed in the 26th minute after an offside call on skipper Michael Hooper.
Hooper thought he’d adapted to initially being offside when Tevita Kuridrani toed ahead on the wet turf.
“I thought I worked back, hands in the air and Marika
(Koroibete), who was onside, kicked the ball, and put me onside,” Hooper said.
“That is why I went at the ball and got it over the tryline.”
It was one of three desperately tight refereeing calls against the Wallabies that had an immediate impact on the scoreboard.
In the 55th minute, television match official Simon McDowell of Ireland gave the green light to English winger Elliot Daly’s try. Halfback Ben Youngs put in a crossfield kick that Daly toed on, however the ball appeared to flick the sideline before Daly got his foot to it.
Then, with tourists trailing 13-6 with 10 minutes remaining, Marika Koroibete had a try ruled out after Stephen Moore was deemed to have prevented Chris Robshaw making a tackle.
There were also first-half yellows shown to Hooper and Kurtley Beale by rookie New Zealand ref Ben O’Keeffe. England coach Eddie Jones would have none of Australia’s angst over the calls going against them.
He said his team played the wet conditions better with smart kick tries and were always going to finish stronger.
“Why do we have a referee? Why do we have TMOs?” Jones said.
“They do 10 replays of a video and make a decision and you’re saying we’re lucky because the decisions went our way. Sorry.”
The loss ended Australia’s promising run of results over the past few months.