Michael Cheika confident Australia will learn lessons from tough 2016
Sunday 4 December 2016 13:13, UK
Michael Cheika is confident there will be a long-term benefit to Australia from a difficult 2016 that ended with a 37-21 defeat by England.
Australia were overpowered in the second half on Saturday as England recorded their 14th straight victory and fourth this year over the Wallabies.
The result meant Australia had lost nine of their 15 Tests in 2016. However, having introduced 13 debutants this year, Cheika is confident that his investment in new talent will yield a dividend at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
"This year has been about teaching ourselves a few things," said Cheika after Australia, 10-0 up early on, were eventually outscored four tries to two by England at Twickenham.
"We've played the top two teams (New Zealand and England) seven times this year with a whole bunch of new players and that's going to be good even if the outcomes haven't been good."
He added: "I know we'll be criticised for losing but you have to wear that sometimes. When you don't take those decisions, it's like I have to keep my job at all costs. But I don't think like that. I feel I have a responsibility to develop talent and give them opportunities."
Among those who've made their Wallaby bow this year are Sefa Naivalu, a try-scorer on Saturday, as well as Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi and powerful No 8 Lopeti Timani.
"We've made decisions around this season as opposed to starting next season when the calendar isn't perhaps as packed," said Cheika.
"I still believe it's the right decision and you have to take the pain when it comes. But I still think we've gained a lot on what we've done this year around the new players."
The build-up to Saturday's match had featured plenty of verbal sparring between Cheika and England head coach Eddie Jones, once team-mates at Sydney club Randwick.
Cheika said former Wallabies coach Jones risked tarnishing his legacy in Australia and had a chip on his shoulder. Despite the jousting, Cheika insisted he still had a huge regard for Jones's coaching ability.
"We go hard at each other sometimes and sometimes we don't. But there is respect there always.
"When you win you stay humble and when you lose you pay respect and that's the way she rolls."
As for the so called 'war of words' between the coaches, Cheika said: "We were at the referee's conference and there were no dramas.
"It's all been pumped up and has no relevance at the end of the day because it's about the 23 best players and in this instance it was England."
