The Wallabies coach was a relieved man following a six-try win which had threatened for almost an hour to turn into a opening match nightmare.
Fiji lit up the Sapporo Dome with their special brand of entertaining and explosive rugby before being over-run in the final 20 minutes by the strong Australia bench. They led 21-12 shortly into the second half as they showed no first night fears.
However, Cheika’s men avoided a bloody nose in Pool D, and he said: “Fiji are such a dangerous team and it was what we expected. We did not expect to be so far behind but we recomposed ourselves and managed to get the job done. You could say it was a wake-up call for the guys because they know what is needed to progress from this Pool.
“The guys showed tremendous character after a sticky first half.”
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 22, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cunningham-South gunning for Boks
CHANDLER Cunningham-South is aiming to be a big hit against the Springboks on Saturday after adding New Zealand to his highlights reel.
Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes
EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.
Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Boks
LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
