Getting the jump on ‘Boks
WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika is convinced that six 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.
“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 talk- ing 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.”
Left unsaid were the cricketers being the prime example of an abrasive, attacking Aussie style.
New Wallabies pillar Adam Coleman is the lock built like an angry West Indian fast bowler and he must deliver again.
Quade Cooper has a rugby wrong ’un or three in his bag of tricks yet calm line-and-length direction with a snappy change-up of inside balls, kicking and wide passing is key.
Cheika has boldly backed a rookie for the Pretoria Test with Fijian flyer Sefa Naivalu included on a 5-3 bench just days after his naturalisation made him eligible.