Cheika: All Blacks did it easy
Australia coach Michael Cheika sung New Zealand's Praises after their Rugby Championship victory over South Africa on Saturday at Ellis Park.
Cheika told Reuters that the All Black's victory was "pretty easy in the end".
The Australian mentor also squashed any expectations of a long-awaited upset for the Wallabies over the All Blacks, saying the world champions are well in front of the chasing pack.
Australia will take on New Zealand in a title-decider for the abridged Rugby Championship in Sydney on August 8 after a dominant 34-9 win over Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday.
The Wallabies are in contention for their first Southern Hemisphere silverware in four years, their last victory over the All Blacks sealing a truncated Tri-Nations competition in the lead-up to the 2011 World Cup.
"This year it's a little bit closer, but it's very obvious that New Zealand are the best team in the world, and I mean by a long way at this stage," Cheika told Australian media in Mendoza.
"To beat South Africa like they did, I think they did it pretty easy in the end.
"They've been so consistent over so many years, so just having a couple of wins in the Rugby Championship, you're not going to guarantee anything," he added.
"We've got to work really hard over the next couple of weeks, plan well and really make sure that we run out at ANZ Stadium in a couple of weeks' time we're ready to make Australian rugby people proud of how we play.
"I don't know how that will end up, but I know we'll be ready to do that bit at least.
"It's going to be a big challenge because they're such a good team."
Australia scored two late tries to blow out the margin in Mendoza and flatter a scrappy performance marked by scrum wobbles, ill-discipline and wayward goal-kicking by flyhalf Bernard Foley.
Cheika said he might bring reinforcements into the squad for the All Blacks match, with No.8 Wycliff Palu and wing Henry Speight available.
Source: Reuters.co.uk
