
In the winter of 2013, the Wallabies were faced with the task of choosing a new coach after a disappointing loss to the British and Irish Lions. They had the option of Jake White, who had a proven track record of rebuilding teams, or Ewen McKenzie, who had a talent for getting well-rounded teams to perform at their best. Michael Cheika was also a strong contender, known for his motivational skills. The Wallabies were ranked between 2nd and 4th in the world at that time and had a team with significant potential. However, they had some significant issues to address, including fitness and conditioning, mentality, scrummaging, and kicking. These issues were contributing to their struggles against top teams like New Zealand. Ultimately, the Wallabies needed a coach who could address these issues and bring out the best in their talented roster.