Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has slammed the actions of a photographer who exposed Australia’s World Cup final tactics on the eve of the high‑stakes clash against New Zealand.
Cheika was also left disappointed when World Rugby officials bizarrely refused his request to allow the coaching staff to be on the field to sing the national anthem with the players before kick‑off against the All Blacks.
But the man who has led an Australian rugby revival said there were no excuses for the 34‑17 loss at Twickenham and that the Wallabies could turn their World Cup efforts into the start of their journey to the top.
Cheika praised New Zealand for their World Cup triumph and expressed his pride in the Wallabies’ second‑half fight-back to give themselves a chance to win the game.
The Wallabies camp was hit with a spying bombshell less than 24 hours before kick‑off in the biggest game of all when a photographer snapped pictures of their game plan.
The sheet in the scrum coach’s hand revealed kick‑off details to target Kieran Read and where the Wallabies should focus on the All Blacks.
One of the things on the Wallabies’ list noted that All Blacks inside centre Ma’a Nonu steps back on the inside when he’s against good line speed.
It didn’t help the Wallabies as Nonu did exactly what was predicted just after halftime and ran almost 50 metres to score a crucial try and open up a 21‑3 lead.
Source: The Age
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