Aussies: Cole has cheated for years

CHEIKA ESCALATES SCRUM ROW

MICHAEL CHEIKA fired back at Eddie Jones’ criticism of the Australian scrum last night by accusing England prop Dan Cole of making a career out of illegal tactics.

The Wallabies’ coach responded furiously, saying Jones has tarnished his legacy in his homeland with a series of ‘vitriolic’ remarks.

Within minutes of England’s 27-14 victory over Argentina, Jones demanded a meeting with referee Jaco Peyper and Cheika to discuss ‘issues’ with Australia’s set-piece ahead of Saturday’s match between the two teams.

But Cheika said he would jump at the chance of a meeting and told Jones — his former Randwick team-mate — to get his own house in order.

‘How can I refuse an invitation like that?’ asked Cheika. ‘He wants to talk about our scrum because we’re cheating in the scrum. He has to look at his own players because they’re the ones who got the penalty try and had a prop with a yellow card.

‘That same prop has been infringing the law since his career started probably. Cole has been boring in and falling down all of June, in the series we played against them, and all the others. That’s his tactic.

‘If you want to watch the clips, they tell the story. In the summer, Cole’s experience of turning in and pulling down got the better of Scotty Sio and James Slipper and they could not deal with it.’

Cheika dismissed notions of ‘disrespect’ and said Jones, who guided Australia to the 2003 World Cup final, had damaged his reputation with bullyboy tactics. He also revealed how England’s coach marched out of a meeting with officials during England’s 3-0 series whitewash Down Under.

‘ It’s funny how your tune changes,’ said Cheika. ‘ In the summer when we asked for those meetings, he stormed out. There was a lot of vitriol about Australia — his home nation.

‘Personally, if you’re looking to leave a legacy somewhere, you don’t want to hit back at it, do you?’

Jones kept a low profile yesterday but England scrum coach Neal Hatley jumped to the defence of 71- cap Cole. ‘ We’ve absolutely no qualms about the way Dan scrummages,’ he said. ‘It seems to be a common theme from Australian watchers. We had it from Bob Dwyer, Phil Kearns and now we’re getting it from other people.

‘ Coley’s one of the most respected tightheads in the world. On his day there’s not many better. When people have a go he just keeps his head down and maintains his form.’

Cheika also said he had asked for a meeting with referees’ boss Alain Rolland but received no reply to his calls — suggesting England are given more of a voice by governing bodies.

‘We don’t have any high-rollers at World Rugby level, so we have very little say in those areas,’ said Cheika.

‘There’s no other sport where the coaches meet the referees the day before the game on their own. I don’t know if that’s normal.’