Australia vs England: Michael Cheika sits in on Eddie Jones' meeting with official Craig Joubert

Tension: Cheika joined the discussion between opposite number Jones and Joubert
(David Rogers/Getty Images)
Chris Jones17 June 2016

Australia have taken the unprecedented step of attending England’s meeting with referee Craig Joubert as tensions mount ahead of tomorrow’s second Test.

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika took advantage of regulations that state a team are allowed to be present at the opposition’s eve-of-match briefing with the official.

Offering a layer of intrigue to the clash, Cheika joined the discussion between opposite number Eddie Jones and Joubert.

The meeting was an opportunity to seek clarity on issues surrounding the match and express any concerns — and to date the option of attending had always been declined by opponents.

The scrum is shaping up to be a key battleground after the tourists gained a crucial foothold in the set-piece in their 39-28 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Adding to the pressure on Joubert, who was also the focal point of a scrum dispute between England and Wales in this year’s Six Nations, is the claim by former Wallabies head coach Bob Dwyer that the technique of prop Dan Cole is illegal.

England forwards coach Steve Borthwick has given his backing to Joubert. He said: “Craig is one of the world’s best refs and we have every confidence he will ref the game and scrum well.”

Cheika admits Australia’s bid to rescue the series will be driven by the anguish of losing the first Test.

He said: “Of course we want to bounce back. Losing hurts a lot. There’s no brushing that away and that pain still sits inside you. That’s what drives a lot of us, the pain and the hardship of losing.”

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