CHEIKA MATE Aussie coach gets an Ed start in mind games
from NEIL SQUIRES in Odawara
MICHAEL CHEIKA has made the first move in the mind games by accusing rival Eddie Jones of inviting an Aussie ‘spy’ into the England camp.
England coach Jones has asked Australian rugby league legend and friend Ricky Stuart to oversee their preparations for Saturday’s crunch World Cup quarter-final against the Wallabies.
But Cheika said: “It must be weird for the players. Ricky is a legend, he has played dual-code internationals.
“I know Ricky. He got me to coach one year in the sevens. He is a good guy, very passionate about his footie.”
But in one of a number of sly digs at Jones, he added: “I’m friends with Gareth Southgate but I don’t know if
I’d be wanting him in here the week that we’re playing England.”
And Cheika, who met Southgate 18 months ago at a coaching conference in Minnesota, aimed another subtle dig at Jones – his old Randwick team-mate.
The current record between the two since they landed their coaching roles is 6-0 to Jones, a fact that England’s Aussie coach has made capital.
But Cheika said: “I think it’s irrelevant. Why go back and talk about all those games? Looking backwards is only going to give you a sore neck.
“It’s just about being ready. We will be, no doubt. We’ll be precise in what we need to do, physically ready, ready to get the job done.”
There is plenty at stake for both coaches because for the loser it is likely to spell the end of the line.
Jones has a contract through to
2021 but a clause in it allows Twickenham to rip it up should England not make the semi-finals.
Cheika is expected to stand down at the end of the tournament, or when Australia’s involvement ends.