Cheika hails Wallabies’ ‘resilience’

Editor

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika praised his side’s ‘resilience’ in their 27-27 draw with the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

It was the second successive draw played out by the sides following the 23-23 draw in Perth a fortnight ago.

And Cheika is disappointed they didn’t do enough to get the win.

“Obviously [we’re] very disappointed,” Cheika said at the post-match press conference.

“I thought we worked hard enough to get a win but it wasn’t to be. What I was pleased about was the resilience we showed.

“They came with the strategy to try and run us out of puff on the Highveld. They just started playing from the first play and what we didn’t do is perhaps get our tackles better.

“We managed the altitude fitness-wise. It came down to a few little bits and pieces here or there for not winning the match.”

Asked how the result compared to the feeling three weeks ago in Perth, Cheika replied: “Playing away from home it feels a little bit better, not a lot. We want to win footy matches.

“Our fans are getting up late in Australia to watch us play. They probably would have enjoyed the match and they would have enjoyed the courage we showed. We kept coming back with resilience. We want to win rugby matches. I know it will come.”