Cheika dumps ‘Dumper’

A SCORELINE as decisive as 25-6 and three tries to nil should leave little doubt Michael Cheika won the battle of the Aussie coaches at Croke Park on Saturday.

That may have been the case, although I see no reason to argue with Tony McGahan when he claims his side were perfectly prepared and ready to produce another big performance.

That said, Cheika had every reason to be thrilled with his gamble of Isa Nacewa at full-back and Felipe Contepomi at out-half. Nacewa didn’t put a foot wrong and it was his line break that led directly to Gordon D’Arcy’s first half try. For someone who wasn’t supposed to have a kicking game, Nacewa also emerged from this facet of play with flying colours.