Legendary comeback silences Cheika critics
WITH the Wallabies trailing Argentina by 24 points after one of the worst first halves of rugby an Australian team has produced in years, Michael Cheika knew there was no time for mincing his words.
With his own job on the line if Australia lost, Cheika unleashed his full fury on his players during the interval by questioning their heart and commitment.
Poking players in their chests, he reminded them what the national emblem on the gold jersey represented and why they owed it to all Australian rugby followers to put their bodies on the line and give it everything they had.
What happened next will go down as one the greatest comebacks in Test rugby history, the Wallabies running in five unanswered tries in the second half.
After just 24 minutes of the second half, Australia were in front for the first time. They scored again in the 66th minute and suddenly the losing streak was over.
The win not only ensured the Wallabies avoided the wooden spoon in the Rugby Championship and will remain seventh in the world rankings but will provide some temporary respite to Cheika and his team.
When things clicked in the second half, the Wallabies looked capable of anything.
The pack was going forward and the backs started to fire, with Bernard Foley calling the shots and Israel Folau and Dane Haylett-Petty cashing in with three tries between them.
Cheika, however, wasn’t getting carried away.
“I was obviously very unhappy with the first half and then very happy with the second half but happy doesn’t really make a difference at the end of the day does it?”