Something to prove

THE Australian arrived at Leinster in the summer of 2005 armed with his three-year plan and intent on annexing world club rugby’s greatest prize.

During a progressive first season the former Randwick No 8 masterminded a stunning 2006 Heineken Cup quarter-final victory over Toulouse in la Ville Rose before falling to a driven Munster in the semi-final.

Everyone thought Leinster were going places until an end-of-season collapse in Cheika’s second season in charge. Nobody had seen it coming, especially after the Leinster players returned from Ireland duty on a high. But a heavy defeat to Wasps in Adams Park (April 2007) was followed by a poor run in the Magners League. Cheika, apparently, was furious but absorbed the criticism, especially after a hammering to Cardiff in the last game of the ML season — his nadir as a coach.