Michael Cheika
Wallaby and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is backing the Waratahs to upset the Brumbies, but he acknowledged that on current form the men from Canberra are Australia’s best team.
Cheika, who is carefully juggling his Waratahs and Wallaby coaching jobs in the lead-up to the World Cup, said the Waratahs are close to reproducing the championship-winning form that saw them claim their first Super Rugby title in 2014.
Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated all-Australian derby – Waratahs versus Brumbies in Sydney on Sunday – Cheika said he is confident the Tahs will turn around a season that could spin out of control if they lose this week again.
With just 2 wins from 4 starts, the Waratahs are hovering in mid-table – already 10 points behind the table-topping Brumbies, albeit just a point outside a Top 6 spot.
However, defeat could make their road back into play-off contention a tricky affair.
He suggest the Waratahs must just find a little bit of an “extra edge” and they could be right back to last year’s form.
“It’s nothing to do with our work rate,” Cheika said.
“If anything, our work rate has improved from last year.
“But one thing’s for sure; they have earned that 10-point gap at this stage.
“So that’s 100% clear. They’ve been by far and away the best team in Australia.
“But I believe in my lads 100%.”
The master motivator promised to have the Waratahs up for the derby.
“We’ve probably just been lacking a little bit of edge,” Cheika said.
“I think that’s fair to say, and I believe that on Sunday we’re going to have a clear idea on how we’re going to get that edge for the game.”
AAP