Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, offered to coach the Wallabies

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika confirmed on Monday he has been offered the Wallabies coaching job left vacant by the resignation of Ewen McKenzie, saying it was “humbling”.

A smiling Cheika, dressed in a Waratahs tracksuit top and black jeans, confirmed the offer when he spoke to the media out the front of Waratahs headquarters at Moore Park. “It’s a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that, but we’ll see what happens,” Cheika said.

Sydney Morning Herald

“There are a few things to be ironed out, obviously the logistics, etc… everything is so close. So we will see how it goes and work it out from there.”

Asked if he was excited about the opportunity, he said: “Who wouldn’t be excited in coaching [the Wallabies].”

Asked if it can happen before Friday when the team flies to Europe for its spring tour, Cheika said: “We’ll see how it happens.”

The strength of the Waratahs’ say in any deal between him and the Australian Rugby Union has grown markedly.

Cheika still has one year to serve on his contract as Waratahs coach, so no agreement between the ARU and Cheika could be reached without the Waratahs approval – and on his and their full terms. Waratahs chief executive Jason Allen made that clear to Fairfax Media after he spoke with the ARU chief executive on the telephone about matters he would not divulge.

With four days until the Wallabies fly out for their five-game tour, it is hard to imagine any discussion would not have something to do with pressing ARU matters. And for the ARU there is a mountain of those. They include appointing and naming a new coach and the new management structure Bill Pulver said would be created before McKenzie resigned, approving and naming the Wallabies touring party initially scheduled for Tuesday, booking confirmed flights, and fine tuning arrangements for what is supposed to be a Wallabies celebration – the John Eales Medal dinner.

“I had a long chat with Bill about a number of things. I am not going to repeat what they were about,” Allen said. “All I will say is, if that were to eventuate with Michael Cheika [asked to coach the Wallabies], that’s the position of the Waratahs board.”

Asked what the Waratahs board position is, Allen said it remained as Waratahs chairman Roger Davis expressed last week. “We would want him to coach us next season, so we are willing to work with the ARU on the solution and wouldn’t stop him obviously,” Allen said. “I know Roger said we would definitely support him in advancing his career. There is no doubt about it.”

Meanwhile, Allen said any loss of Cheika’s services to the Waratahs would only compound an already challenging number of issues they have to resolve before the 2015 season.

Firstly, if Cheika left, there would be the cost factor of a global search the Waratahs would have to execute to try and find the right person, at a time when there is not a flood of top available coaches.

During that search, the Waratahs would then have to appoint an interim coach from one of their two assistants, in former Crusaders assistant and All Black Daryl Gibson or former Wallaby Nathan Grey.

Allen was confident the ARU would recognise the Waratahs’ issues and work with them to find the best solution for all parties.

12 Responses to Australian Rugby: Cheika offered Wallaby coaching position

  • 1

    I know it’s not likely but I would love to see Eddie Jones back in the saddle (without his poodle of course).

  • 2

    Eddie Jones is contracted to Japan. That also needs an agreement to release him, and that will go along with a buy-out of his contract. Cheika is the easier way to go and that will mainly be between the interest of Cheika himself, the Waratahs and Aussie rugby.

  • 3

    For a change I was wrong 😉
    I assumed the ARU will be aiming at a Semi Final spot at the RWC as a minimum requirement
    Seemed now they cut their losses and went for a safer option in term of ‘Industrial Peace’?

  • 4

    In retrospective, JW’s blew it by ditching the Brumbies,
    He also failed to read the ‘Australian mind’ if there is one?
    😆

  • 5

    No ARU!!! you need Jake.

  • 6

    Hondkak talking out of his bum for a change.

    😆

  • 7

    Hopefully he gives them the finger if they have a performance clause for 2015. Sign till 2019 Cheika

  • 8

    Scotland squad for upcoming internationals announced – 33 players, captain Gilchrist (Edinburgh lock). Allan Dell is one of 3 additional players invited to train with the squad he has a Scottish granny, from the little have seen him play for Edinburgh don’t think it will be long before he plays for Scotland.
    Not sure yet why there is no place in the squad for Kelly Brown and John Barclay, Kelly was captain this time last year I think and a really nice guy. Barclay playing in Wales for Scarlets now must be one of the best options as fetcher flank, although Blair Cowan from London Irish also quite good and have not seen him play this season.
    Sorry not able to put article up. Bye

  • 9

    Is it just me… or does Michael Cheika not look like Kurtley Beale’s dad…?

    Worry

    Wink

    Attachment:

  • 10

    @ ufo:
    Come to think of it or rather having looked at the picture, you may have a point 😉

  • 11

    @ charlesm:

    😆

    yeah bud… i’ve though so for a while… but saw this pick on another site… so thought i’d ask and clear it up for myself…! 😉

  • 12

    sheesh… spelling… 😳 sorry puma…!!

    though = thought

    pick = pic

Users Online

Total 32 users including 0 member, 32 guests, 0 bot online

Most users ever online were 3735, on 31 August 2022 @ 6:23 pm