Cheika sheds tears for Phillip Hughes

Australian rugby coach Michael Cheika was brought to tears by news of Phillip Hughes' death and says the Wallabies want to pay their respects at Twickenham this weekend.

Australian players will honour the late cricketer's memory by wearing black armbands in Saturday's Test match against England while officials confirmed on Friday a minute's applause would be held prior to kickoff.

"We just want to show that we care," Cheika said on Friday.

"Show respect to the family and maybe make people remember the man for another moment."

Hughes' shock death has hit the Wallabies squad hard, even for those like Cheika who didn't know him.

"I don't know why there's that connection for some reason," Cheika said.

"I suppose being in a professional sports game as well you can really identify with that.

"I've never met Phillip but when I heard about it I cried because there's something about it that touches you and how unfortunate it is.

"Any type of respect we can show, we want to do it."

Several Wallabies players had met Hughes and he took part in a cross-sport promotional photo shoot with Israel Folau, Matt Toomua and Nic White earlier this year.

Read the original:
Cheika sheds tears for Phillip Hughes