Opinion: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika proves he really is a clown

Opinion: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika proves he really is a clown

Michael Cheika should lose graciously.  He should know how by now, he's had plenty of practice.  The Australia coach has overseen a three-Test series defeat to New Zealand and England this year - the first time it's happened to the Wallabies in their spotted history. 

He can take some solace from the fact his team, like Argentina did in Hamilton, pushed the All Blacks hard in Auckland last night, forcing Steve Hansen to use his bench to bring change to a team under pressure.  But just as it was for the Pumas, the Wallabies couldn't sustain that pressure for 80 minutes, weren't able to cope with the changes the bench brought to the All Blacks, and couldn't maintain their defence as fatigue set in.

Once again, as they have been for a tier one record of 18 consecutive wins, the All Blacks' fitness, skill and ability to cope with pressure and respond to it was superior.

Rather than be a grumpy loser, Cheika should take a look at the gulf in class between the two sides and focus on fixing that.

Perhaps his most ludicrous complaint after the test at Eden Park was to accuse the All Blacks of being complicit in a newspaper cartoon that depicted him as a clown.  He based the spurious claim on the fact it was the same organisation that broke the story about the listening device found in the All Blacks' Sydney hotel.

The implication - and it is one the English media love to trot out too - was that the media were doing Hansen's bidding.  He clearly doesn't know Steve Hansen.  If the media were to do as Hansen wanted it would be to laud the All Blacks' opposition as world beaters; to pop them on a pedestal for all to see and for the 'underdog' All Blacks to topple them from. Painting the Wallabies coach as a clown might have amused Hansen, but if he had any real reaction to it, it would be frustration that once against the media was doing a good job of firing up the opposition.

Cheika came into the Wallabies job off the back of success with the Waratahs and had seemed to be a breath of fresh air.  He has quickly become a grump who is happier blaming others than looking at the appalling state of Australian rugby.  They were average (at best) in the Super competition and the Wallabies have had a year to forget.  They were whitewashed by England and finished the Rugby Championship with the skinniest of pass marks - three wins from six games the wins coming against Argentina (twice) and South Africa.

In comparison, the All Blacks have been supreme.  They were far from their best at Eden Park with too many errors and missed tackles, but survived on a paucity of ball to lead 15-7 at halftime before surging past the Wallabies to win 37-10.  It is the mark of a very good team when they win playing poorly.  With tests to come next month against Ireland (two), Italy and France, it's conceivable and believable the All Blacks will finish the year unbeaten, and with 22 consecutive wins behind them.

They will then have the all-comers record of 24 Test wins in their sights, a record held by Cyprus and that the All Blacks could equal in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, and then surpass in the third one.

It will be take a clean sweep of the Lions to achieve that - a feat that is not impossible but will be considerably tougher than beating the Wallabies and their clownish coach Cheika.