Michael Cheika: We are at the beginning of our journey

The pain of a World Cup final defeat to New Zealand will linger for Australia but Michael Cheika believes his rejuvenated Wallabies are only at the beginning of their journey to challenge the mighty All Blacks.

Australia’s bid to upset the odds at Twickenham on Saturday night, less than a year since their first game under Cheika, came up short as New Zealand retained the Webb Ellis Cup in a 34-17 epic. Yet their three tries to two defeat filled the former Leinster and Waratahs coach with pride and hope that the experience can serve as a platform to greater things for a side that was down in the dumps just 12 months ago.

He had been delighted by the way his players had fought back from 21-3 down after 42 minutes to close the gap to four points with 15 minutes to go when just settling for defeat would have been the easy option.