Try to rebuild the Wallabies

He needed to make changes at the end of 2017, at the very latest, not in a World Cup year.

This group of players are better than their results. But this Wallabies season has had the feel of a constant experiment. Cheika said two weeks ago he believed it was his new favourite way to get the best out of them, but Saturday’s loss gives the lie to that statement.

Shaun Berne, on loan from the Melbourne Rebels after Larkham’s exit, needed longer with the group. Foley, as brilliant as he has been in the gold jersey in years past, shouldn’t have been in the squad.

Perhaps harder for Australian fans to reconcile themselves with was Cheika’s fondness for sulking after losses and singling out match officials for poor refereeing.

Loose forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto said it was a protective mechanism, Cheika deflecting criticism of the team after losses and making himself the target. That may be true but it has also been embarrassing to watch and is in danger of seeping into the mentalities of the younger players

Cheika was never going to be a conventional Wallabies coach.

It is hard to escape a niggling sense that he could have been a very good one, with better leadership from Rugby Australia. But he was also a divisive public face for the game, which is a shame and all down to him.

Now, it’s someone else’s turn. The drums are beating loudly for former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, who is still under contract with Glasgow. Cheika has given him plenty to work with, including the likes of Marika Koroibete, Jordan Petaia and Taniela Tupou and a modernised Wallabies identity.

The future could yet be bright in the right hands.