Cheika wary of wily Scots
The Wallabies' 15-6 victory over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday ensured Australia remained unbeaten at the end of their Pool A games.
Australia now face Scotland, who scraped past Samoa 36-33 on Saturday, rather than South Africa – like the Wallabies two-time world champions.
Cheika's men, the reigning southern hemisphere Rugby Championship title-holders, will be huge favourites when they return to Twickenham to face Scotland on October 18.
But the Scots have won two of their last three Tests against the Wallabies, although they were beaten 21-15 when the teams last met at Murrayfield two years ago.
Cheika also demanded respect for a Scotland side coached by New Zealander Vern Cotter who had success in charge of French club Clermont.
"What I do know is that Vern Cotter is a very clever coach.
"He had a very successful time in France, which is difficult for an Anglo-Saxon," added Cheika, who was sacked by Stade Francais in 2012 after two years in charge of the Paris club.
"I'm sure he will have them ready for the knockout games."
Looking to the future, Cheika stuck to his one-game-at-a-time mantra.
"I know people like to comment based on rankings but there's no favourable side of the draw, the only favour is that you're in it.
"You can't get away with a bad game. Australia has lost to Scotland a couple of times and maybe that's because they thought they could. We won't be thinking that this week."
Cheika said Wallaby loose forward star David Pocock had suffered a calf injury but it was not considered too serious.
"David took a bang on his calf but it doesn't seem too bad," Cheika said.
AFP
