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Fresh from helping Justin Langer retain the Ashes, Shane Warne and Steve Waugh arrived in Tokyo this morning on a red-eye from London.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika phoned the cricketing odd couple earlier in the week and asked them to come to Japan to mentor the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup.
Fiji is the first speed bump on the road to hoisting the Web Ellis trophy and the Wallabies are set to play them on the 21st of this month.
Plenty of time, Cheika says, for Shane and Steve to work their magic.
“Winning the Ashes in England for the first time since 2001 was a huge accomplishment that wouldn’t have been possible without Tugga and Warnie,” said the leather-headed galloping green.
“So I phoned Raelene and floated the idea. She said it was a terrible plan, so I knew I was onto a winner. Few phone calls later and I’ve got Steve and Shane talking to the boys, teaching them a few things.”
Our reporter spoke to a number of Wallabies via telephone this morning about the experience of being mentored by two cricketing greats.
“Shane pretty much told us the game of rugby is mostly mental,” said a forward with a massive forehead.
“And that to win the world cup, you need to get in the head of the opposition. Basically the opposite of what John Eales told us. He said we should be kind and polite to the opposition, even if they try to rip your eyes out.”
In a controversial move, Steve Waugh allegedly asked the members of the back line to go and get their gloves, if they had a pair that is.
A few came back with their little fingerless grippy gloves and Tugga just gave them a huge clip under the ear.
“Wallabies don’t wear gloves!” yelled Steve.
The Advocate reached out to Rugby Australia for comment but they don’t open until noon.
More to come.
