It turns out words can hurt, Cheika

RUGBY UNION ZIP it Cheik. Enough. The “**** cheats” shout from the Twickenham grandstand that has dumped the Wallabies coach in strife has tarnished him as a bad loser and eroded the “no excuses” culture he demands of his team.

World Rugby officials may yet take action over Cheika’s unseemly crack during yesterday’s tense battle when three disputed try calls went against his team in a jolting 30-6 loss to Eddie Jones and his crowing English team.

The issue escalated with a gruff exchange with a TV interviewer who asked him about the reaction following the wet-weather Test.

“No, I never said ... what are you talking (about)? Is that really what it’s come to?” an exasperated Cheika said of a gaffe picked up by lip-reading.

“Yeah, maybe I did swear. It happens sometimes in life I’m sure you have as well.”

Australian rugby fans want a coach like Cheika who is passionate, fierce, funny, frank, full of strong opinions and drives his team brilliantly to wins over the All Blacks.

They don’t want to google “www.rugby.com.au” to find it stands for World.Wide.Whingers.

The world is sadly beyond mock offence at the “F-word” but it still demands dignity ... from those in charge of national teams. Cheika was out of order and gave a lame explanation that letting his anger and frustration bubble out immediately was best for him.

“That’s my own way of dealing with stuff. I like to get it out and get on with things,” Cheika said. “It’s not like it’s affecting anyone else.”

Maybe – only the image of the Wallabies because this is not an isolated venting.

Cheika’s fuse blew with his kneejerk line and sarcastic hand-clapping when no-try was called on skipper Michael Hooper for being off-side at the 26-minute mark.

Even Hooper was nonplussed because he thought he’d adapted to initially being off-side when Tevita Kuridrani toed ahead on the wet turf.

England 30 (J Joseph, J May, E Daly, D Care tries; O Farrell 2 conv, 2 pen goals) bt Australia 6 (R Hodge pen goal, B Foley pen goal)