Wallabies watch: Michael Cheika back on the market
Michael Cheika’s time as Los Pumas head coach has come to an end, with the team announcing his successor in former star Felipe Contepomi.
It’s an interesting development given the vacancy of the Wallabies head coach role, and while it was initially unclear whether Cheika had taken another job within the Argentine system, comments from the 56-year-old have since implied he will be departing the country altogether.
It was just weeks ago when the Argentine Rugby Union president, Gabriel Travaglini, insisted talks with Cheika were progressing positively in regards to a new contract that would see Cheika remain head coach, with just “some numbers” to be worked out.
However, Monday saw Travaglini release a statement with some parting words.
“Personally, and on behalf of the entire Argentine Rugby Union, I want to thank Michael Cheika for this path that we travelled together,” he said. “His professionalism, passion and dedication to Argentine rugby is something we will remember forever.
“Today we are convinced that Felipe (Contepomi) is the right person for this new road to Australia 2027. Welcome Felipe, we wish you the best and we accompany you in this great challenge that is to be the coach of Los Pumas”
Cheika’s comments help paint the picture of his departure and confirm his status as a gun for hire.
“I want to thank all Argentines for these wonderful years together, as well as the UAR, the staff and the players for having trusted me for this challenge.
“Having been the head coach of Los Pumas fills me with pride and is one of the experiences that I enjoyed the most in my career as a coach. Although I was born in Australia, a large part of me will be Argentina. I am convinced that Felipe and his staff are going to lead the team in the best way.”
Cheika’s credentials, along with his newfound availability, make him a top option for the Wallabies, who appear to have been comfortable taking their time to find the right candidate – perhaps waiting patiently for Cheika’s status to be confirmed.
An experienced and local head like Cheika’s would tick all the boxes for Rugby Australia, who are in desperate need of stability during their major shift in governance and program structure.
Former head coach Eddie Jones was enlisted with the aim of overseeing something of a reset in the Australian game, with the hopes of centralisation at the core of the union’s vision for the future.
The recently ousted Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan’s departure adds spice to the Cheika-return recipe, as it’s possible Cheika shared the state union’s distrust in McLennan.
With that potential obstacle cleared, there is a clear runway for Cheika’s homecoming, and the 2015 World Cup silver medalist has been transparent about his desire to partake in the 2027 Rugby World Cup taking place on Australian soil.
“I’m still on with the (Lebanon) Cedars (rugby league team) and there’s a World Cup that will be in Australia, I think, in 2026 before the Rugby World Cup in 2027. I’m looking forward to being involved in both of those – one way or another,” he recently told The Roar.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham appears to still be in the running for the job, while Leicester Tigers’ Dan McKellar has implied he will be staying put in his new role. Rumours have swirled about Andy Friend, former Springboks coach Jake White, and even recent New Zealand assistant Joe Schmidt.
Cheika’s stature in the game and knowledge of the Australian system though make him a prime candidate, whose convenient availability cannot be overlooked.
Should Cheika reassume the Wallabies’ reins, he would return to the role he gave up in 2019 having lifted Argentina to two historic wins over the All Blacks in addition to wins over both Australia and England. He would also return perhaps with more public compassion for his results during the latter end of that previous stint in green and gold.
Rugby Australia’s interest in Cheika’s services must be considered a given, but the question would be whether Cheika would be willing to take on a role that involves so much more than just leading the national team.
Eddie Jones’ aforementioned and historically unsuccessful appointment included the job of overseeing the Wallaroos program, something that Jones admitted took a back seat during his short-lived tenure.
Any preference of Cheika’s to take up a more specific role would be understandable given the scale of the undertaking, and the appointment of new full-time Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp.
Rugby Australia’s recent desire to hire a countryman to lead the Wallaby charge would be fulfilled by Cheika’s return, and Australian fans can only hope that it’s the man’s devotion to the game he loves in the country he loves that brings him back home to steer the Wallabies through a pivotal moment in Australian rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to comments