The Rugby Australia board remains indifferent to the support of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika

"Michael was very open about the fact that they did not deliver what they hoped for but extraordinary performances were recorded and we think that shows that there is a potential there and that he's the right person to carry us through and win the World Cup. "

Cheika did not provide any details on the proposed changes on Friday, but it was confirmed that there would be no change in the ranks of the coaches. Clyne also did not give information on the questions asked to Cheika, if it was that they could do more to support him.

"It's really up to him to decide, in the end it's about coaching the team and providing the resources and support that they may need," said Clyne.

Cheika is risky to "line up" her number one application before the meeting. In Clyne's comments, it's exactly what has been given to him.

After a vague public address by Cheika the day before, it was an awkward and frustrating response from RA. But from the PR, it can also be very clever.

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Cheika may claim to be perhaps the first Wallabies coach in recent history not to have been whitened by members of the gambling group, nor by the RA's board and executive. He will go to the World Cup in Japan on his own terms, as he pleases. While he's doing a spectacular job, Clyne and RA's chief executive, Raelene Castle, can argue that they've supported it thoroughly. If the Wallabies bomb, everything is on Cheika.

Of course, Cheika has already repaired the Wallabies. Four years ago, on the test – the third clash of the Bledisloe Cup – they collapsed and he saved the day.

The resignation of Ewen McKenzie at the post-game press conference in Brisbane, after the Wallabies players practically practiced a draw against the All Blacks, left the team and the Australian Rugby Union, as it was called at the time.

Cheika, who won a Super Rugby title that year, was the obvious choice. The ARU Board of Directors, Bill Pulver, then CEO, wasted no time – just two days – in appointing him to McKenzie's successor.

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What he did next is what he does best. He took a team without leaders and confused, full of talented athletes, sold them a better image of themselves and helped them to make their reality. The Wallabies qualified for the 2015 World Cup Final 344 days after Cheika recovered them from the ground.

The question now is: can he do the other thing: fix his problems and find a different way to raise his players?

It was always going to be Cheika's challenge. People talk about two types of coaches: those who repair and those who run. The first produces quick results but is not suitable for long-term roles. The latter makes more gradual changes and gives more gradual results.

In the Wallabies, Cheika tries to prove that it can be both.