Michael Cheika has ruled out any interest in the England coaching role and said he’s fully committed to the Wallabies.
The news is a blow to the Rugby Football Union, who are looking for a big name to rebuild the nation’s reputation as a rugby power and were keen of making contact with Cheika following Australia’s superb World Cup campaign.
Stuart Lancaster stood down as coach this month with more than four years left on his contract after a disastrous campaign on home soil that saw England become the first side in World Cup history to fail to qualify for the knock-out stages.
But the former Leinster and Stade Francais mentor, who is in London to coach the Barbarians at Twickenham this weekend, said he’s no interest in a return to Europe.
“No one from England has contacted me and they know that they can’t contact me because I’m committed to Australia and that’s where I want to be coaching,” Cheika said.
“I’m an Australian coaching Australia, it’s like the dream. There’s nothing that would make me change my mind.
“I never thought I’d be coaching Australia. I’m enjoying it and I want to do the best I can in this role for as long as I can.
“You want to make sure that you give everything when you have the opportunity.
“When the chance comes to coach Australia, you don’t say no to that. I’ve enjoyed the first year of doing it, it’s been fantastic.”
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie is looking for a coach of “proven international experience”, but Cheika’s desire to continue at the helm of Australia has thinned an ever-decreasing field that now offers few options.
New Zealand’s Steve Hansen, Joe Schmidt of Ireland and Wales boss Warren Gatland have stated they are not interested, as have Graham Henry and Wayne Smith who have compiled outstanding CVs with the All Blacks.
Eddie Jones, the mastermind of Japan’s remarkable World Cup victory over South Africa last month, has distanced himself from becoming Lancaster’s replacement and to date the only proven international coach to have invited an approach is Jake White.
However, White has not coached a Test team since steering the Springboks to glory at France 2007.
Not Bothered
Guest
Excuse me!? I dont assume to know what Smith will or wont do but you do, you say that he would never coach Eng and has said that many times but then claim yo know that he would have had Mallet been chosen over Lancaster and even considered coaching Eng with Lancaster. So in short, you are wrong. I dont attack other peoples balanced opinions if it is well considered and reasonable. If somebody claims Foley is an average rugby player or that Hooper isnt a good player, that they know what Wayne Smith will or wont do, that something they dont watch or know much about is bad etc etc I will tell them that they are full of it. You DONT know what Wayne Smith will do and considering he was willing to coach Eng before I would suggest its possible he may want to again. So although youve chucked it in reverse and back peddled as fast as you can I dont take kindly to people telling me something isnt possible when they are just some uninformed dude on the internet who just doesnt like the sound of something. The RFU should strongly go after a guy who has expressed intetest in coaching the English team in recent years (2012). I dont know if Smith will accept but what I do know is that YOU DONT KNOW EITHER.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes and I knew all that too NB yet why is it that you are able to hold the opinion that Smith could change his mind or will say one thing and do another yet I cannot say he will never coach England. What makes you more correct than me? And why do you constantly attack others views with an anger? Poor form I say. And less credibility.
Not Bothered
Guest
'Smith, a former centre for New Zealand, was head coach of the All Blacks in 2000 and 2001, then spent three years with Northampton before becoming Graham Henry’s assistant for an eight-year period that culminated with the 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph. Henry’s successor, Steve Hansen, brought him back as defence coach last year. Lancaster has admitted that one of his regrets was his failure to persuade Smith to join his coaching team. Smith would have been part of Nick Mallet’s coaching team had the RFU given the England job to the South African instead of Lancaster. Smith afterwards declared an interest in working with Lancaster, who flew to hold talks with him in South Africa, but withdrew for family reasons.' LEARN WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FIRST. You wont and you will just spout out your opinion based on your own bias. This I know.
Not Bothered
Guest
Pfffft. He was willing to with Mallet. Its not just me ffs. Grow up, truely.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Can't wait for Cheika to coach a good Aussie side . That one he got into the final was shite.
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
oh God NO...then we will have all of that arrogance back with his psychophantic media man Campbell by his side....
taylorman
Roar Guru
smith will never coach England, so yes it probably is only you NB. He had made that clear, many times.
Not Bothered
Guest
In what way is it a troubled rabble? Are you seriously going to tell me that Eng losing to Aus and Wales is something new or out of the ordinary? Eng under Lancaster have the 2nd highest win % in the pro era.
Not Bothered
Guest
Do you seriously think what coaches and players say is always true. In these circumstances its usually not. Burgess and his union coaches were telling everyone he was staying in union. Nek minnit.
Not Bothered
Guest
Well Im sure that coaches can change their minds. Yes W.Smith was willing to coach Eng but he always denied it. Now he says he doesnt want to and everyone is saying that its set in stone. Ahhh HELLO! Seriously am I the only one who realises this? Every time I mention this people act as if A) Smith cant change his mind and B) coaches never say 1 thing and then do another.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
They're delusional on this one huh? You might have bothered reading " No one from England has contacted me" Which kind of makes a nonsense of the articles assertion " The news is a blow to the Rugby Football Union" What's a bit more nonsense to the England coaching debacle after all ......
cuw
Guest
woodward said no thanks. anyway to day the press is claiming eddie jones is now the front runner. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3321231/Eddie-Jones-emerges-runner-England-head-coach-job-RFU-hold-talks.html given its Daily Mail i urge readers not to bet on it :)
cuw
Guest
all good names were mentioned including sir clive , sir graham, gatland, schmidt, white, jones and cheika. there were many local names but went out of the window once the ceo said they are looking for a coach with INTERNATIONAL experience. that makes it a small fish tank , not a pool :)
cuw
Guest
wayne smith will not coach for one year. add to that he is not interested in moving due to family concerns. when he was willing (to be asst to Mallett) England missed the bus.
Not Bothered
Guest
and QC is not going to Toulon.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Biggest... it's decidedly so me naming the English Coach's position as that 'poison chalice'. Ever since Sir Clive left the buiding, having successfully built Jerusalem, it's been nothing but a troubled rabble. And yeah, it's definitely a highly paid position but...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Championships, maybe it is a poisoned chalice as you say.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
It's interesting that the role could be perceived as a poisoned chalice chook. This job would be easily the highest paid and most resource rich job in the game. There should be no excuses not to succeed given the depth of players. Yet the last two coaches have overseen debacles at World Cups. Not to mention no 6 Nations champi
Machooka
Roar Guru
Amazing to see that Cheika's name was even mentioned... let alone him making a statement to the contrary! But it will be very interesting to see who reaches, and takes the poison chalice. Whoever it is... good luck.
Playmaker
Guest
The RFU should get Woodward and two assistant coaches from their top club teams, train them up to succeed Woodward after 2017 or 2019 after RWC , because basically nobody is interested except White.