Successful Waratahs mentor Michael Cheika is set to be announced as the new Wallabies coach, with the NSW Rugby Union keen to ensure he masterminds their Super Rugby title defence before overseeing Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Several websites on Monday afternoon stated Cheika had reportedly agreed to fill the position vacated by Ewen McKenzie after last Saturday’s Test loss to New Zealand in Brisbane.
However, there was no immediate confirmation from the Australian Rugby Union.
On Twitter, the ARU said they were still investigating options and no coach had been locked in, but they hoped to have a solution in place before the Wallabies leave on Friday for their northern hemisphere spring tour.
Cheika confirmed he had held discussions with ARU officials, but stopped short of saying he had accepted an offer.
“It’s a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that (the Wallabies’ coaching role) but we’ll see what happens,” Cheika told reporters.
“There’s a few things to iron out obviously – the logistics et cetera, everything being so close, so we’ll see how it goes and work it out from there.”
Cheika is believed to want to oversee the Waratahs’ title defence before taking control of the Wallabies.
The NSWRU also want that to happen.
“We would fully endorse and support Michael if he was offered that (Wallaby) role, that’s without fail,” NSWRU chief executive Jason Allen told AAP on Monday.
“I think it’s a great compliment for the many years of service he’s provided in rugby.
“We would, however, respect that he would have to, with our best wishes, accept both roles for next season.
“It would be challenging, but with a small amount of inbound Tests, the board and I think that’s achievable.”
Asked if any deal with the ARU would be conditional on Cheika coaching the `Tahs in 2015, Allen said: “We would find it very hard to accept a release without that condition.
“We’ve got an entity to protect as well.”
Australia will play just four Tests next year prior to the World Cup – two against New Zealand and one each against Argentina and South Africa.
There are precedents for a coach performing Super and Test duties in the same season – although the appointments were made with relatively short notice.
In 2001, Eddie Jones coached the Brumbies to the Super title before accepting the Wallabies post after Rod Macqueen stood down mid-year.
New Zealander Robbie Deans coached the Crusaders to the most recent of their seven Super titles in 2008 before starting his tenure as Wallabies coach almost immediately after.
If appointed in time for the spring tour, Cheika would certainly hit the ground running.
A squad for the tour could be announced as soon as Tuesday.
One man not expected to tour, but who Cheika has been a big supporter of is Kurtley Beale, who will face an independent hearing on Friday into a couple of alleged indiscretions.
Broadcaster and former Wallabies coach Alan Jones was critical of both McKenzie and the ARU.
It has been reported McKenzie could be approached to coach Argentina next year.
Former Wallabies centre Tim Horan thought McKenzie could look at returning to Europe, where he has previously coached Stade Francais, the same French club Cheika has also coached.
Chivas
Guest
I'm not a Tahs supporter. Sorry to disappoint. It is just reality. Face up to it.
Chivas
Guest
Big difference between what you do in SR. and what you do in a test. Writing an article on how he is the best in the world and trash talking tge IRB player of the year looks exactly what it is. An over excited fan. So he has a sore shoulder and now he's rubbish. Take a look at real greats like McCaw, Jobes and see how they still remain executive even on one leg... But yeah he led the Rebels well to where was that... Bottom of the comp. Yeah you are a great judge of ability. The fact he stands out in a rubbish team isn't much if s case, certainly not enough to earn him the accolade as best in the world. How many MOTM awards has he earned in tests? I would say Foley has achieved more in tests than Higgers over a much shorter time at a much younger age than Higgers, but yeah he is second rate and Higgers is a legend.
PiratesRugby
Guest
No Chivas, Higgers has had an ordinary year at 8. He was the form 8 of last year but injured his shoulder before the Lions. He led the s15 forwards and alot of the backs on almost every stat. He provided much needed leadership to the Rebels in 2013. This year, notwithstanding the standout performance in the first game of s15, he has been disappointing. Foley is still second rate.
TahDan
Roar Guru
The thing is mate, 14 years ago Rugby League was in dire straights financial and was hemorrhaging support after the Super League War. But not even massive crises like the Bulldogs gang-rape did as much damage to their code as this text message has done to Rugby. That team me suggests a level of incompetence in Australian Rugby that is almost unrivaled.
Westie
Guest
Tahs pre season starts earlier every year
FraggleWrangler
Roar Rookie
I'm not suggesting he would be guilty of a conscious bias - that's why the word 'bias' doesn't appear in my comment. It's just the simple fact that being at every training session for one team and none of the other teams for an entire super rugby season means that players across the country will have vastly unequal exposure to the national coach.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
I'm still tipping for the bye against the Reds in round 6.
Mike
Guest
"…easily done." Then why didn't you do it? And why weren't there two NZ sides contesting the final, First XV? You really do walk right into these things... ;)
Mike
Guest
Until fans, coaches and administration learn to respect the players who actually put their bodies on the line, Australian Rugby will continue to flounder .
Mike
Guest
"Didn’t take them long to get rid of Link, did it, for all Link cut Qld dead over and over again." Then he must be part of the great conspiracy too, FOS! :D
Mike
Guest
"But we dont want MC coaching the Wallabies." Who's "we", FOS?
Captain Pugwash
Guest
well it is an advantage if you get to play the reds, rebels, and force twice a year, opposed to the hurricane, chiefs, highlanders, and blues.
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
more because of combinations mate - he hasn't played rugby with the guys out here forever... I'd bring him into the squad and get him training/providing leadership for the squad and if injuries do strike (as the almost inevitably will) then we'll have a very experienced campaigner to step in...
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
He wont and shouldnt get rid of Beale but the ARU might. They wont though. Beale will be 12 by years end.
All Bent Out of Shape
Guest
Holy moly! QLD and NSW are at war, when did this happen and why havnt I heard QLDers constently m0aning and whinging about it?
Chivas
Guest
Sure he should.... stuff integrity and honouring his contract. It's all about appeasing those who feel aggrieved over the loss of Ewen, a handful of QLDers from what I can tell. If the NSWRU choose to release him, that is ther business. The fact you think it is ok to leave the Tahs floating in the wind without a coach would place you as a desperate Reds supporter? I would suggest you send a letter to the NSWRU demanding they "do the right thing", much like QLD would do if the roles were reversed.
Chivas
Guest
Peace with who? QLD? Who gives a toss. A bunch of insecure b0gans for the most part if your comments and FO's are anything to go on.
Chivas
Guest
"But we don't want" Buy a tissue FOS.
Chivas
Guest
And Higgers is still the best number 8 in the world and and and... Your judgement is still dodgy. But I agree on Genia. His game and structure is far superior to Phipps. When Genia regains his confidence and fitness he will be in the mix. Phipps does provide something extra in defence though as you day... but generally, I think Genia is better at marshalling the forwards and controlling the ball. Not sure about his laser beam pass. The trick is clearing it from the floor to the runners.. not just a laser beam pass. Maybe watch Aaron Smith to get a better understanding of what I mean. :-)
Common Sense
Guest
I don't think so. Both the AFL and NRL dragged those incidents out for at least 18 months and it is still ongoing, that's not very well handled. What the AFL and NRL can guarantee is: Large supporter base Money Successful Australian team Little international threat to their main cash cow ie. Premiership leagues Proper structures in place to maintain and grow the game domestically Their games are too big for a small scandal to destroy them, it's got nothing to do with how they handle it. (Look at the NFL, do you see that crashing and burning any time soon?) On the other hand, Australian Rugby has none of those and has been in a fragile state ever since Jonny Wilkinson knocked over his drop goal. If the ARU had the same things that the other codes have then these minor scandals would have next to no impact compared to what they are going through right now.