Wallabies veteran Tatafu Polota-Nau insists Michael Cheika is the right man to coach Australia after one of Australia’s leading rugby writers called for his immediate sacking in a scathing column.
Polota-Nau was asked about Cheika’s position during a media conference today on Auckland’s Waiheke Island after a recent column Greg Growden wrote for ESPN .
“No hesitation, absolutely (he’s the right man for the job),” Polota-Nau said.
“His wealth of knowledge is quite hard to take at times but in saying that, we take what’s best for us, cause at the end of the day he only wants what’s best for the team and even for individuals when they have one-on-one time with him.”
“He actually brings the best out of them, he’s definitely the best man for the job.”
Polota-Nau said the onus was on the players to follow Cheika’s game plan.
"He actually brings a great blueprint for us to work off," Polota-Nau said.
"If anything, it’s more about how we take that blueprint and put it out there on the field cause at the end of the day we’re the guys out there on the field and only we can control what the plays are at hand."
Polota-Nau was also full of praise for Cheika’s ability to motivate and man-manage.
“He’s also a great motivator, just getting us to be upbeat about every single session that we take because you never know when your next Test might be, for some it might not be, so we’re just making sure we’re taking advantage of the opportunity that we have.”
Reporter's question about the mental challenge had coach Michael Chieka in stitches but their record in Auckland is no laughing matter.
Growden wrote that Rugby Australia needed to sack Chieka and his staff now if they were serious about the 2019 Rugby World Cup, citing his 51 per cent success rate as Wallabies coach.
The long-time rugby writer called for RA to lure Ireland’s Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt or “entice a Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy-like figure across from the rugby league ranks.”
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