Fresh from his resounding endorsement from the Rugby Australia board, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has received the ultimate backing from the country’s premier player.
Runaway John Eales Medal winner David Pocock insists Cheika not only deserves to remain at the helm until after next year’s World Cup but his position should never even have been questioned despite Australia winning only three from nine Tests so far in 2018.
“I wasn’t even aware it was up for discussion,” Pocock said when asked if it was a relief Cheika’s job was declared safe during a meeting with RA bosses Raelene Castle and Cameron Clyne on Friday.
“I love the guy. I’ve learnt a huge amount from him. Since 2015 I’ve been involved with him and I’m excited about the next 18 months.”
While the Wallabies’ only victories this year have come at home against Ireland and South Africa before their record-setting last-start comeback win in Argentina, Pocock believes Cheika’s men are slowly building something special.
Despite Australia slipping to seventh in the world rankings, the champion back-rower believes Cheika and skipper Michael Hooper are driving a winning culture during a Wallabies rebuild that Pocock tips will bear fruits at next year’s World Cup.
“It’s something we talk about a lot. It’s a daily conversation. You’re wanting to improve how you’re training every day, how you approach things, your mindset, to get that performance. It’s not just the 80 minutes,” Pocock said.
“As a playing group, we’re taking steps in that area to keep each other more accountable and I’ve been really impressed with Hoops and the way he’s including guys and really starting to drive that side of things off the field.”
The Wallabies were flying out on Saturday night for their spring tour of Japan and Europe and Pocock said Tests against the All Blacks, Wales, Italy and England were an ideal way to finish the year.
“The next month, we’re under no illusions, it’s going to be incredibly challenging,” he said.
“You’ve just got to look at the last two results against New Zealand.They’re certainly the best team in the world and you want to be playing against the best.
“It will be a great way to measure ourselves, see the progress we’ve made this season and after that we’ve got four weeks and three games on the road so it’s a real opportunity to have more time together to continue to build those connections on the field.
“We’ll work hard at training and hopefully that translates into good performances and playing the way we want to play and playing the way that makes people proud of us as the Wallabies.”