Cheika factor helps Argentina rack up a series of firsts
Argentina's deserved 25-18 victory over their hosts in Christchurch on August 28th stunned New Zealand but also served as a reminder of the quality of the opposing coach.
Cheika's reputation took a dive in the latter years of his time in charge of his native Australia, a reign that ended in acrimony after a humiliating quarter-final exit at the 2019 World Cup.
The success of the Pumas in his first season in charge, however, has once again illustrated that Cheika is one of the game's great motivators, a coach with an almost unrivalled ability to galvanise a team and get quick results.
Argentina have taken the wooden spoon in eight of their nine previous seasons in the Rugby Championship but are top of the table heading into this weekend's second test against the All Blacks in Hamilton.
That may or may not last beyond the weekend but Cheika is in any case firmly focused on building for next year's World Cup.
"On the way to the World Cup, which is what we're planning for obviously, we've talked about trying to get some firsts to mark our own belief and self-confidence," Cheika said on September 1st.
The firsts this season have already included a home series triumph over Scotland in July, a record 48-17 win over Australia three weeks ago and the maiden victory over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil last weekend.
Cheika's reputation as an agent of change was established when he took over underperforming teams at Leinster and New South Wales Waratahs and led them to 2009 European Cup and 2014 Super Rugby titles, respectively.
Winning the major club prize in both hemispheres was a unique achievement for a coach and he was no less successful when he moved up to test rugby, leading the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final just a year after taking the job.
After the disappointment of his Australia exit, Cheika dived head first into new experiences and as a result will coach Lebanon, the country from which his parents migrated to Australia, at this year's rugby league World Cup.
He also helped out Pumas coach Mario Ledesma as a consultant during the 2020 Rugby Championship, playing a part in Argentina's first ever win over the All Blacks in Sydney.
As a result, Cheika has already been embraced by Argentina's passionate fans with one having had a portrait of the coach tattooed on his backside after last week's game.
There will surely be grander honours next year should the Pumas surpass their achievement in reaching World Cup semi-finals in 2007 and 2015.
For now, though, Cheika is focused purely on what he views as a fairly simple recipe for success.
"Playing well is important as is performing well in the areas that we have decided are important," he added.
"Then effort at 100% and then the cards fall as they will."