Cheika: I don’t know the rules anymore

– Fuming Wallaby coach Michael Cheika (right) launched a furious attack on rugby chiefs over a crucial decision in yesterday’s 29-25 World Cup loss to Wales, saying he was embarrassed by the decision to penalise Samu Kerevi while he was carrying the ball.

Already angry with rugby’s officialdom over the three-match ban handed out to winger Reece Hodge for a dangerous tackle in Australia’s first match against Fiji, Cheika was moved to near apoplexy by the Kerevi decision.

The centre was Australia’s most effective attacking weapon in the first half and, with his side trailing 13-8 five minutes before the break, he barrelled into Wales flyhalf Rhys Patchell a couple of metres inside his own half.

At the next break in play, referee Romain Poite referred the tackle to the Television Match Official (TMO) and between them they decided Kerevi had led with his forearm and hit the Welshman on the chest, then throat.

Patchell converted the resulting long-range penalty and two minutes later Wales scrumhalf Gareth Davies raced away for an intercept try in a double whammy that left Australia in a big hole at 23-8 down.

Cheika suggested in his eyes that Kerevi’s approach to the tackle looked remarkably similar to that of Fiji flanker Peceli Yato in the incident that earned Hodge his ban.

“It was pretty funny, because I thought I had seen it before, might have been Reece Hodge, I am not sure,” he said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

“When our player does it, we get suspended and then this time we get penalised. As a former rugby player, I am embarrassed about it. As a player, I am embarrassed about it.”

Cheika was asked whether it was concerning that he, as a national team coach, was not aware of the directive under which Kerevi was penalised.

“I don’t know every directive. Lots of them come out,” he said.

“I think he put his arm into his chest. I don’t know if that is illegal or not. I don’t know anymore. I don’t know the rules anymore, honestly.”

Warming to his theme, Cheika noted the loud boos, albeit mostly from the Australians in the crowd, that followed the incident.

“Administrators are spooking refs and refs are afraid of making decisions,” he added. –