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Michael Cheika has been recognised for his rapid transformation of the Wallabies, being named the World Rugby Coach of the Year at an awards dinner in London.
Cheika took over the Wallabies’ reins less than a year out from the World Cup, on the eve of the team’s 2014 Spring Tour, which they finished with one win from four matches.
Splitting the role with the NSW Waratahs head coaching job during the Super Rugby season, Cheika worked to build a strong team mentality with regular player briefings during the season.
Cheika then led the Wallabies to their first Rugby Championship win since 2011, which included a victory over New Zealand in Sydney.
In 2015 Cheika has taken the Wallabies to 10 Test wins from 12 matches, including a challenging run to the World Cup final.
It’s an achievement that Cheika has said was not even on his radar when he was offered the job last year, but one he believed he could help work towards.
In that run, the Wallabies had to face six of the world’s top 10 teams, three of those before even making it out of the pool stages.
As well as pure match results, Cheika influenced the change of eligibility laws this year, bringing France-based players Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell back into the fold as well as allowing Dean Mumm and Kane Douglas to join the World Cup squad after signing with Super Rugby franchises for 2016.
Cheika’s charges have been vocal in their praise of him through the tournament, with vice-captain Michael Hooper saying it was impossible not to buy into his passion for the national team, despite having never donned a Wallabies jersey.
The World Rugby Coach of the Year award is further recognition of his success as a mentor, in a career that has seen him become the only coach to win top domestic awards in both the southern and northern hemisphere.
Signed as Wallabies Head Coach until at least 2017, the national job will be Cheika’s sole focus in 2016 and beyond.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.