Michael Cheika named Wallabies coach - to take team to 2015 World Cup

Michael Cheika has been named as the new coach of the Wallabies, and will take Australia to end of year tour and the 2015 World Cup.

Cheika will take over as Australian coach from Ewen McKenzie, who controversially resigned after Saturday’s one-point loss to the All Blacks.

Cheika took the NSW Waratahs to the Super Rugby title in 2015, and will remain in the provincial job until the end of the 2015 season.

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said Cheika was the “standout candidate” for the job after it unexpectedly became available, and that a “three-year agreement was the logical agreement”. Pulver said he hopes Cheika will take Australia to the 2019 World Cup in Japan

Cheika, who guided the Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title this year, is signed to a three-year deal to replace Ewen McKenzie, who resigned on Saturday following Australia’s 29-28 Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand in Brisbane.

Cheika said he was excited to take over the national job. He also paid tribute to Ewen McKenzie’s contribution to the team.

He acknowledged that although there had been tension between the Waratahs and the Australian Rugby Union about the appointment, he said that everyone was now on the same team, and it was about getting Australian rugby supporters on board.

“I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but I am up for the challenge,” said Cheika.

“Any time I am involved with a team it’s expected that supporters are proud of their efforts every time they play.”

In a very honest press conference, Cheika admitted to having a “a few rumbles around here [the ARU]”, but was willing to move beyond it for the good of rugby in Australia.

Cheika said he has contacted the other provincial coaches about participating in building a Wallabies brand, and they were all eager to help.

Bill Pulver said he hadn’t spoken to any other coaching candidates except Cheika, and said Cheika had signed the deal just two hours before the announcement.

After what has been one of the most turbulent periods in Australian rugby, following the Kurtley Beale-Di Patston saga, the ARU and Bill Pulver have moved quickly to secure the future coach of the team, with the CEO originally insisting they have a leader before the team leaves for the end of year tour on Friday.

Pulver denied that the Wallabies squad was one in disarray, and said that the “way the team played [against the All Blacks] on Saturday does not suggest a team in disarray.”

Cheika said he would not answer questions in relation to Kurtley Beale’s hearing, as he didn’t want to prejudice the process.

Pulver said Cheika’s appointment means contracts for coaches Nick Scrivener and Jim McKay will end.

“I’d like to thank Nick and Jim for their significant contribution to Australian Rugby.”

“Nick has been a long-serving contributor at the national level under two coaches. Most recently, he has shaped the Wallabies’ defence and had significant input and oversight of the team’s overall training program.

“Jim has been at the forefront of the new attacking style the Wallabies have played in the past year, and we’ve all enjoyed seeing the free-flowing style of Rugby Jim has promoted.

“I would also like to thank Nick and Jim – as well as Andrew Blades – for their incredible leadership, particularly in recent weeks. They were both exceptional in preparing the team to play under difficult circumstances, and this decision should not take away from the high quality of work they produced over a long period.

“Their contribution was highlighted by the Wallabies’ performance against the All Blacks last Saturday night.”

In addition to Cheika’s appointment, Pulver also announced there will be changes to the Wallabies’ structure.

“A recent review found we need to introduce a senior position into the Wallabies’ off-field structure to provide additional leadership and general management duties.

“For the upcoming Spring Tour, our General Manager of Pathways & Performance, Ben Whitaker, will undertake this role, with a permanent appointment and confirmation of what this role will encompass to be made after the Spring Tour.”