Former Wallabies fullback Matt Burke says coach Michael Cheika has too much control over Rugby Australia after a dismal 2018.
The Wallabies won just four of their 13 Tests in 2018 and slumped to landmark defeats to Wales and Argentina.
After their latest loss, a 37-18 defeat to England at Twickenham, Burke, who won the 1999 World Cup with the Wallabies, said Cheika should be under more pressure from Rugby Australia than he is.
‘[Cheika] survives because he has the run of the mill at Rugby Australia,’ Burke said, speaking on Sky Racing’s Big Sports Breakfast radio show. ‘He has total autonomy over that joint at the moment.
‘We are down to seventh in the world after starting at No 3. We pumped up the Aussie-Irish campaign and we have just been on a slide since then.
‘In regards to getting that defensive system sorted – it is all over the shop. They’re playing blokes out of position. If you want to play [Israel] Folau at fullback, play him at fullback.’
Rugby Australia has backed Cheika until his contract expires at the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
HIGHLIGHTS: England vs Wallabies
Photo: EPA/Craig Golding
