Defiant Cheika not concerned over Wallabies job
A defiant Michael Cheika said he has no concerns about his job and is not contemplating resigning after New Zealand thrashed Australia 40-12 to retain the Bledisloe Cup.
Beauden Barrett became the first All Black to score four tries against the Wallabies in a drubbing at fortress Eden Park on Saturday.
Cheika came under fire after the world champions won the first Test in Sydney 38-13 last weekend, with reports that Rugby Australia are considering whether he should stay on as head coach.
The 51-year-old was distinctly unimpressed when asked about his position after his side suffered a fourth consecutive defeat.
“If you are naive enough to think that I’m worried about myself here, then you don’t know me at all,” he told a reporter when quizzed about his future.
“The last person I think about is me, I want Australia to play good rugby, be the best I can. If you think I’m worried about myself, then you’ve never known me.”
Here it is! @beaudenbarrett‘s record four tries against Australia. RT if you seeing Beaudie score tries.#NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/yBTiOzW04R
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 25, 2018
He added: “I don’t know who is making the suggestions [that his job is under threat], maybe it’s the journos or maybe it’s other people.
“Some people might do rugby coaching for a job, I’m doing it as a passion and I want Australia to win more than anything and I’ll do my very best every day I’m honoured enough to have the position.”
Cheika stated in no uncertain terms that he is not considering walking away following another crushing loss.
“There is no debate, you wouldn’t know, you’ve never coached anyone. I don’t know where you come off saying that. I told you exactly what I think about it, categorically,” he said when a journalist asked if there was a debate going on in his mind over whether to quit.
“If you think there is a debate going on in your own mind then you need to get some pills to sort it out, because there ain’t no debate going on in my mind.”
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