Cheika keen to beat Boks the ‘Australian way’
WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika is convinced that seven of his 2016 rookies can turn hoodoo gurus in Pretoria after dining with cricket counterpart Darren Lehmann.
Being emboldened to keep backing fresh blood and a distinctly Australian style only fed Cheika’s strong blueprint.
Yesterday, he cut through all the noise about 53-year hoodoos, high altitude and predictions of a Springboks backlash for the Test tomorrow (1.05am AEST).
“We want to play the Australian way, we don’t just want to go and try to win in Pretoria,” Cheika said.
“We don’t think we’ve fulfilled that as much as we wanted to this season but we are starting to get a bit of our attacking flair and defensive workrate going.
“Maybe, we think too much about what’s going to happen with the altitude or what’s going to be the kicking game from them instead of just playing our game.”
Cheika and Lehmann sat down over a steak on Wednesday night in Johannesburg with the off-field staff from the touring rugby and Australian one-day cricket sides.
“We were in heaven talking bowling, selection, rugby and similar challenges like keeping the balance between old school and cutting edge,” Cheika said.
“The Australians have brought three new fast bowlers on tour, they back them and it’s up to them to take the opportunities.
“It’s like us with our good young brigade, none of this year’s debutants have been left behind.”
New pillar Adam Coleman is the lock built like an angry West Indian fast bowler and he must deliver again and Quade Cooper has a rugby wrong ’un or three in his bag of tricks.
Cheika has boldly backed a rookie for this Test with X-factor Fijian flyer Sefa Naivalu included on a 5-3 bench just days after his naturalisation made him eligible.