Cheika sees new resolve in Wallabies

MICHAEL Cheika believes his Wallabies players have put this year’s horrific Super Rugby season behind them and forged a strong self belief during The Rugby Championship.

But now they must “understand mentally how much more we’ve got in our tank” when games get tough and Test victories are up for grabs.

Cheika talked up the development of his team after the 27all draw with the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

They were tired but held tough and following the exceptional lead of skipper Michael Hooper kept pushing for a win right until the last minute.

Cheika said seeing that attitude was tangible progress.

“They hung in that game really well,” he said. “If you look at it in perspective where we’ve been this year, bar game one, where we had the comeback against New Zealand, we’ve been right up there.

“Either winning or losing at the last minute or drawing, with a team that is still relatively light on experience. I like the group of players we’ve got.”

Cheika said the poor results of Australia’s teams in Super Rugby in 2017 had had a negative impact on psyches.

“You’ve got to get guys believing,” Cheika said. “I think that’s happening.’’

The Wallabies play Argentina in Mendoza on Sunday.