MICHAEL CHEIKA SAYS his Australia team expected to be facing Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Pumas blitzed Joe Schmidt’s Ireland in their World Cup quarter-final last weekend, emerging as convincing 43-20 victors in the Millennium Stadium.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
As the Wallabies prepare to face Argentina in Sunday’s semi-final at Twickenham, former Leinster boss Cheika says he was not surprised to see the Pumas come through their knock-out tie with Ireland.
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“Am I surprised that they’re in the semi-final? No, not at all,” said Cheika this morning at Australia’s team hotel in Teddington.
I expected it totally. We see them on a regular basis over the years now in the Rugby Championship and so we’re not surprised at all at their position now. We would have expected it, so we’ve been preparing accordingly.”
Cheika has a number of serious injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the Pumas, with Israel Folau (ankle), David Pocock (calf) and Scott Sio (elbow) struggling to prove their fitness.
The fact that Australia will train this afternoon meant Cheika had an easy out when asked about the status of that trio.
“After today, we’ll know,” said Cheika. “This morning, I’ll find out what they’re going to do at training and after that we’ll decide on how we roll.
“They’re on the improve and they did a little bit earlier in the week. The goal will be for them to finish the full session today and see how we go.”
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
The growing sense is that it would be a surprise to see Pocock, Folau and Sio in the Australian team named later today, although Cheika will surely take a risk if any of those key players is borderline.
“It’s not like we’re keeping anyone for next week,” said Cheika.
Losing rampant breakdown specialist Pocock, world-class fullback Folau and set-piece cornerstone Sio would be a telling blow for Australia.
Being shorn of those important players would mean Cheika’s famous motivational ability would be tested even more than usual, although lock Rob Simmons says the Wallabies’ head coach hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary ahead of Sunday.
“Not this week, he’s been pretty normal this week,” said Simmons. “He’s making sure he’s not leaving any stone unturned. After last week, he’s making sure everyone’s on board and ready to go for this weekend.
“He speaks a lot and speaks very well. He gets everyone motivated and pumped up before the games and if you’re not pumped after he’s speaking, I don’t know what will.”
Michael Cheika says Australia expected to see Argentina get past Ireland
Murray Kinsella reports from the Lensbury Hotel
MICHAEL CHEIKA SAYS his Australia team expected to be facing Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Pumas blitzed Joe Schmidt’s Ireland in their World Cup quarter-final last weekend, emerging as convincing 43-20 victors in the Millennium Stadium.
As the Wallabies prepare to face Argentina in Sunday’s semi-final at Twickenham, former Leinster boss Cheika says he was not surprised to see the Pumas come through their knock-out tie with Ireland.
“Am I surprised that they’re in the semi-final? No, not at all,” said Cheika this morning at Australia’s team hotel in Teddington.
Cheika has a number of serious injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s meeting with the Pumas, with Israel Folau (ankle), David Pocock (calf) and Scott Sio (elbow) struggling to prove their fitness.
The fact that Australia will train this afternoon meant Cheika had an easy out when asked about the status of that trio.
“After today, we’ll know,” said Cheika. “This morning, I’ll find out what they’re going to do at training and after that we’ll decide on how we roll.
“They’re on the improve and they did a little bit earlier in the week. The goal will be for them to finish the full session today and see how we go.”
The growing sense is that it would be a surprise to see Pocock, Folau and Sio in the Australian team named later today, although Cheika will surely take a risk if any of those key players is borderline.
“It’s not like we’re keeping anyone for next week,” said Cheika.
Losing rampant breakdown specialist Pocock, world-class fullback Folau and set-piece cornerstone Sio would be a telling blow for Australia.
Being shorn of those important players would mean Cheika’s famous motivational ability would be tested even more than usual, although lock Rob Simmons says the Wallabies’ head coach hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary ahead of Sunday.
“Not this week, he’s been pretty normal this week,” said Simmons. “He’s making sure he’s not leaving any stone unturned. After last week, he’s making sure everyone’s on board and ready to go for this weekend.
“He speaks a lot and speaks very well. He gets everyone motivated and pumped up before the games and if you’re not pumped after he’s speaking, I don’t know what will.”
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