Michael Cheika met with Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Tuesday, intensifying speculation that he may be a candidate to take over as head coach of the Wallabies following Joe Schmidt’s departure after the Rugby Championship. Cheika, who previously held the position from 2014 to 2019, had a dinner meeting with Waugh in Sydney, though Rugby Australia declined to comment on the discussions. Waugh stated that the organization has created a targeted shortlist and received significant interest from “quality candidates worldwide.”
Schmidt will wrap up his coaching tenure in October, ending hopes within Australia that he might remain until the 2027 World Cup. Following his time with the Wallabies, Cheika served as head coach for the Argentine national team, leading them to the semi-finals in the 2023 World Cup. Currently, he coaches the Leicester Tigers in England and will leave the club at the end of the season.
The new Wallabies coach will have the immediate task of preparing for a northern hemisphere tour, which kicks off on October 25 against Japan in Tokyo, followed by matches against England, Italy, Ireland, and France.
In light of Schmidt’s recent decisions and team dynamics, expectations are high for the new head coach to revitalize the squad. Cheika’s previous experience and success with the Wallabies, including leading them to the 2015 World Cup final, coupled with his recent achievements with Argentina, position him as a strong candidate to reinvigorate the national team.
In summary, the next few weeks will be crucial for Rugby Australia as they look to secure a new coach and embark on an important tour, promising an exciting chapter for Australian rugby. The upcoming matches and coaching changes may motivate the team to achieve new heights, as they strive for success in international competitions while fostering emerging talent.
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