Port Elizabeth: Michael Cheika can see the question coming. Deep down he knows in a results-driven industry two wins from 10 Test matches simply isn’t good enough.
But don’t think for a second Cheika is going anywhere on his own volition. There is next to no chance of him abandoning the sinking ship that is the Wallabies at this point in a World Cup cycle, even if the knives are being sharpened once again after a 23-12 defeat to South Africa in Port Elizabeth.
More pain: Defeat to South Africa was the eighth loss in 10 matches for Michael Cheika and the Wallabies.
He is digging his heels in, big time.
In terms of those who matter, chiefly Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle and the board, there is faith being placed in Cheika. It is faith that was not shown in equal measure to previous Wallabies coaches, some of whom had a better record than the incumbent Wallabies boss who is growing tiresome of defending himself.
"You keep asking the same question every week, I’m not changing from week to week," Cheika said.
"No one wants to win more than me, trust me. I think that’s pretty obvious.
“Like I’ve said before, the tough situations come and then they go away and the tough people will stay. You either cry about it and sook or get on with getting improvements – and we want to improve.”
Cheika is infatuated with being “tough” at the moment. He prides himself on being able to wrestle with adversity.
“You’ve got to ride that out and come out the other side,” he said.
That is all well and good but sprinkling magic dust on this Wallabies team is not something that can happen overnight. Yes, there were improved elements to their game in an 11-point defeat to the Springboks, but every loss from now on is one step closer to the head honchos saying enough is enough.
Will that come in the form of punting Cheika? This next Argentina fixture could determine that and particularly if Australia cannot climb their way back up the pecking order from seventh in the world rankings.
Left behind: South Africa got off to a fast start and were never headed.
Although Argentina were unable to back up their win over the Wallabies on the Gold Coast, losing to New Zealand in Buenos Aires on Sunday, they’ll be quietly confident of using the altitude in Salta to their advantage.
If they do, the Wallabies will finish on the bottom of the Rugby Championship ladder for the first time.
Assistant coaches Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey will be hardly be feeling at ease at the moment either.
"We’re a strong group together and the staff around me and we’re feeling it but together we know we’re going to come out of it," Cheika said.
The tough reality of being a captain is you have to face up at a press conference after a loss. That is part and parcel of the job but Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper was the last bloke needing to defend how he played on an individual level.
He is searching for answers and why wouldn’t he be given he has a 39 per cent winning record as Wallabies captain, factoring in the Tests he was in charge for in 2014.
“I’m clear on the things we did well and clear that there’s a way forward for this team," Hooper said. "Our coaching staff is doing everything we can to get us on that path and that course."
Hooper is passionate, patriotic and as much of a team man as anyone in world rugby. However, there was one line he uttered that will surely make the blood boil of the Wallabies’ most faithful.
“I’m very proud of where we are.”
One of the Wallabies’ best against the Boks, Hooper’s post-match comments raised eyebrows.
Seventh in the world. Unsure where the next win is coming from. A wobbly lineout. Disillusioned fans. One second half try in three games. The most consecutive away losses since 2009. The worst run of 10 games since 2005.
All less than a year out from the World Cup. Without stating the bleeding obvious, there is plenty of work to be done in the land of steak and Malbec this week.
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