Globe-trotter Cheika has backed himself, and his staff, to keep potential British & Irish Lions tourists, and other international stars in peak condition.
Under the Professional Game Partnership deal which came into force this season, Premiership players can only have 30 game involvements per campaign with a one-minute cameo counting towards the tally.
Cheika has named lock Ollie Chessum, scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet, prop Dan Cole and fullback Freddie Steward in his 23 for today’s clash with Gloucester and all four could be up near the limit by the business end of the season.
With a Lions tour looming next summer, plus Six Nations and potential club knockout commitments, some coaches are juggling their line-ups already – but Cheika has brushed that off.
He said: “I don’t actually think about it all. What I think about is preparing the players correctly so they can meet the challenges they meet.
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Denne historien er fra October 20, 2024-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.
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Daley-McLean backs Harrison
KATY Daley-McLean is backing Zoe Harrison over Holly Aitchison in John Mitchell’s fly-half conundrum due to the Saracens 10’s formidable goal kicking, which she feels will give England an edge during tight knockout matches in next year’s World Cup.
Diamond still has faith as Falcons battle on
THE Premiership’s bottom two sides, Newcastle and Exeter, faced each other at Kingston Park on Friday night – a match which ended in victory for the Falcons – with talk of relegation back on the Premiership menu.
Batley sets sights on reaching top
JOE Batley has two remaining targets in a career that started at Gloucester 10 years ago – help Bristol win the Premiership for the first time and gain international recognition.
Confused path to rules of combat
TRYING to obtain an even rough timetable over the class action being taken by players claiming negligence over concussion and brain injuries has been difficult to say the least but I have been busy on your behalf ringing around various interested parties.
Life with Welsh was such a roller coaster
To play professional rugby was such a privilege and something I never expected to happen once I left the south-east to go and do a master’s in chemistry at Bath University.
Watts wins it for Leeds with last-gasp goal kick
WHEN these two teams met last season, both games were high-scoring affairs that were in the balance right until the end.
At last! Falcons end record losing streak
NEWCASTLE finally put an end to their 25game losing streak in spectacular fashion on Friday night at Kingston Park.
YOUNG GUNS
Max Clein is enjoying learning from his childhood hero Sean Cronin at Munster and hopes to emulate the Ireland legend’s career.
Saracens go top in last-minute drama
THERE is a reason why Saracens have been serial winners down the years – they never know when they are beaten.
All Blacks will have to be at their best
IN some ways the New Zealand system means that they are not at full strength between World Cups. You can see it in the way fly-half Richie Mo’unga, blindside Shannon Frizell, and veteran lock Brodie Retallick, who are all in Japan, are ruled out by taking up overseas contracts, despite being number one picks before they went.
