Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says his team isn’t taking the “safe” route against Wales, bracing for the unexpected in their crunch pool D clash.
Australia’s decision to bench Kurtley Beale and reunite Will Genia and Bernard Foley in the halves was interpreted by many as one aimed at playing a more conservatio” game plan than Australia’s usual expansive approach.
Genia changed the game against Fiji last weekend when he came on in the 51st minute, upping the kicking rate somewhat and drawing the Wallabies into a tighter match.
Wales coach Warren Gatland predicted that the Wallabies’ selections would lead to more kicking and said their attacking threats were lessened by Beale’s benching.
Cheika dismissed the suggestion that his selection choices were any kind of conservative options, though.
“You’ve known me for a while, you know I don’t go the safe option ever, it’s not in my personality profile, I don’t think,” he said.
“We’ve got a plan and probably the mere fact that they’re talking about it means it’s already action.”
While he might think his plan is gaining traction, Cheika said he knew better than to expect things to run smoothly on game day.
Australians need only look back seven days to see a plan forced out the window by half-time and Cheika said they wouldn’t be expecting the same old thing from Wales.
“I’ve been involved in enough footy games as a player and as a coach now to go to the kick-off with two things,” he said.
“One an absolute clear and unbreakable belief in the guys I’m going to play with, because they’re my team mates, and two be ready for everything. You don’t know what’s going to happen.
“In the last game we were down 21-something (21-12 vs Fiji), we certainly didn’t expect to be in that position. But you’ve got to learn how to deal with that and get yourself sorted.
“Things can happen on a footy field. You get an intercept. And you’ve got so many variables, you have to go there believing in your team mates and then be ready for everything.
“This is a World Cup mate, crazy things happen.”
What Cheika can be sure of is Wales will be their sternest pool challenge.
This is arguably the most accomplished Wales team to play under Warren Gatland since the Kiwi took over the side in 2007.
Cheika has taken plenty of opportunities in the lead-up to the game to label Australia underdogs, exactly the position he likes them to be in, and he reiterated that view on Saturday.
“I don’t think they are worried about what I’m saying, I can tell you right now,” he said.
“I think they have been dominant over there, they have been winning a lot of games.
“They had a big run of games undefeated and they have climbed to No.1 in the world for a while and you only have to talk to our own journos to see what they thought about 2018.
“So, yeah, I’m not a betting man, never have been but I’d say that makes them favorites.”
The Wallabies take on Wales at Tokyo Stadium on Sunday September 29, kicking off at 4:45pm local, 5:45pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Network Ten and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO, the Rugby Xplorer App and Amazon Alexa.
