Since October 22, 2014 when appointed Wallabies coach, Michael Cheika has been the undisputed big boss man of Rugby Australia.
During that period, RA's chief has never been Bill Pulver, or his successor Raelene Castle, or chairman Cameron Clyne or his similarly invisible board members. For years, they have all willingly bowed to their commander - King Michael the First.
No Australia rugby coach has ever been granted the autonomy, the keys to the vault, the freedom to do whatever they like, and get away with a series of substandard team performances as Cheika has during his four years ruling the Moore Park roost. Scrutiny has been minimal.
Cheika certainly knows how to get his own way, and at times scare the freaking hell of those who grovel at his feet. Some even in the rugby media ranks have privately admitted how a dogmatic Cheika puts them on edge; so upset him at your own risk.
When Pulver was RA chief executive, staff were told: "Cheik is untouchable. He runs his own race."
Judging from the remarks made by Clyne late last week nothing much has changed since Pulver's departure.
Listening to Clyne's endless endorsement of Cheika, one would have thought everything was spiffing about Australian rugby and their coach was actually enjoying an 80 percent plus Test success rate rather than a distressing 50 percent ratio, that they had won far more than three of their last 11 internationals, and a slump to seventh in the world rankings was merely a computer glitch. The Alfred E Newman-esque message from the RA board remains: "What me worry! We're right behind King Mick."
Clyne spun the line that the Wallabies were not as dreadful as some made out as they had been involved in 'some extraordinary performances', including at the last World Cup. Eyes began to roll all over the country.
Reality only returned and the real clues emerged when Clyne, a one-time banker, was asked about money. He couldn't avoid the glaring fact that RA is short of funds. He admitted they were unable to spend enough money on long-neglected grassroots rugby.
"Nor do we spend enough money on coaching, on development and on the Wallabies. We don't. We underspend in every single area because we are financially challenged," Clyne said.
Again Cheika has the upper hand. Cheika is getting paid very handsomely to be Wallabies coach. He is on a substantial income; a figure that would surprise many. So, if the "financially challenged" RA wanted to get rid of him and his entourage before the World Cup, it would cost them money they probably don't have.
RA are seemingly handcuffed, so one has to take a 'better the devil you know' approach, and wait until his contract expires at the end of next year's World Cup.
It doesn't mean they have to be completely subservient. They have every right to demand better value for money, and Cheika should not quibble about that because many international coaches with far less resources have done far more.
And Cheika must surely realise that if he was instead a high profile AFL or rugby league coach -- where the media scrutiny is far more intense and extensive -- he would have been gone some time ago.
The ideal time to regain the faith of the thousands of disenchanted Wallaby followers -- including many who repeatedly claim they have walked away from rugby -- is to show something of worth on their northern hemisphere tour.
It is not exactly the most demanding of end-of-season assignments and does not involve a taxing travel schedule. After playing in the All Blacks in Japan this Saturday -- without the stress of the Bledisloe Cup at stake -- they have a week of training, then to Europe to play Wales, Italy and England.
One would probably not expect an unbeaten tour -- even if the All Blacks usually drop their standards whenever a Test series has already been won -- but at least three out of four victories must be Australia's goal. Anything less would be yet another November flop. And in recent years, they've had a few of those.
The Test they must win is against England at Twickenham on November 24. Eddie Jones has constantly out-manoeuvred his old Randwick club colleague, and it is time for Cheika to prove there is more to his coaching repertoire than game-day bluff and bluster, by coming up with a constructive and well-thought plan that will end England's five-Test winning run over the Wallabies.
Ranting and raving at players at halftime has its place. But that can only be done on the very rare occasion. Nine times out of 10, the players want more. They've heard the fire and brimstone stuff before, and even if compelling television viewing it does become tedious. It's time to find other tricks.
At least there were some reasonable selections in the Wallabies squad -- and finally Cheika has realised the Waratahs' Jake Gordon has the most potential of the back-up scrum-halves. How Gordon was consistently overlooked for the Brumbies' Joe Powell is confounding. Gordon must be given ample game time on this tour, because Will Genia cannot last forever.
This tour is also when Cheika must determine what exactly the Wallaby midfield and back-row combinations will be, so there is ample time for them to feel comfortable before next year's World Cup tournament. As well, a back-up for the erratic No. 10 Bernard Foley must be found. Jack Maddocks deserves a chance.
When defending Cheika, Clyne kept emphasising this team's potential. On this crucial tour King Michael and his court jesters have to show that their chairman's sentiments are more than hot air.