MELBOURNE: Former Australia coach Michael Cheeka will give Argentina a “leg up” against the hosts in Saturday’s tri-nation clash in Newcastle while coaching from Puma’s box, Wallabies lock-in Hanigan said.
Cheeka, who said in May that he would never coach against Australia, took on a consulting role with Puma in September, helping Mario Ledesma to a 25-15 victory over the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.
“He has an inspiring side about Cheeka because he was on a team and he knows Australian rugby very well,” Hanigan told reporters in a video call on Tuesday.
“So he’s definitely going to be an asset to them in a game like the one we got over the weekend in Newcastle.”
Cheda, who was Ledesma’s skram coach, led the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final but left the country after the team ‘s defeat in the quarter – finals in Japan last year, Australia’s poor performance in the global tournament.
After the All Blacks match, Puemas captain Pablo Matera praised Chika for helping the team overcome the New Zealanders for the first time in 30 Tests.
Hanigan, who handed over his first Test cap to Cheeka in 2017, said he would see some of his former boss’ “DNA” in Argentine drama.
“He has a lot of skills. The (Australia) team has coached a lot of players, ”he added.
“He’s up to a foot in Argentina this week, I guess … he’s going to win.”
New coach Dave Rennie’s first victory will be against Australia, who beat the All-Blacks 24-22 in Brisbane, as the tri-nation has yet to win a silver medal.
Hanigan could not see Argentina fighting for inspiration against Australia after the emotion of defeating All Blacks.
“I think (momentum) adds to it. It’s on-field energy – you’re building,” he said.
Reuters
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