Coach claims team harmony is fine in the wake of heavy loss Wallabies united: Cheika

WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika bristled at suggestions of team disharmony following English prop Kyle Sinckler’s sledge that Australian players were “f--- ing snitches” for reporting Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley- Cooper for having women in their hotel room.

The pair were stood down for the England match after being reported to Cheika by the team’s leadership group, and Sinckler delivered the cutting jibe early in the second half of his side’s 37- 18 victory at Twickenham.

Cheika said the squad was united over the issue, with team rules stipulating guests are not allowed in their hotels.

“I don’t think there is divide whatsoever, in fact, I think the opposite,” Cheika said.

“You can’t have it both ways. You can’t have people looking out for each other and all that and then no team standards.

“You’ve got to say that the team is more important than any of the individuals and that’s the way it is. They are the decisions we make and if you have seen the way training has been this week, even after that event and then into the game around effort and com- mitment from every player, I don’t think we are seeing that in any way shape or form.

“And I am sure, 100 per cent, there is nothing like that off the pitch.”

Cheika was angry at having to respond to Sinckler’s sledge because he deemed it completely untrue.

“It’s not kindergarten. Honestly. Really? So you want me to answer a question about a sledge from an England player?” Cheika said.

“You need to understand that at a certain point com- mentary stops. I can sledge you on anything I want and be nasty and it may not even be true. That’s what sledging is.

“If you sledge you can use any tactics you want. You’ve seen the cricket, most of sledging is not true.

“It’s to rile you up and to jab you in the side, that is what it is. You asking me to comment on sledging on the field is pretty average. Anyone could be saying anything to niggle.

“I’m not against sledging, if you’re into it, if that’s what they want to do, I can tell you from being a good sledger on the field, it’s usually niggle.

“You want to get under people’s skin and you’ll say anything and most of it it’s not true. Most of what gets under your skin is the stuff that is not true.”

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Winger and man- of- thematch Jordie Barrett scored four tries and fullback Damian McKenzie, whose selection has been questioned by some rugby pundits, scored three.