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Michael Cheika re-signs as Wallabies coach through 2019 World Cup

Michael Cheika has welcome Curtis Rona into the Wallabies starting line-up. (AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU)
18th May, 2016
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After falling at the last hurdle at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Michael Cheika will get a second crack at winning rugby’s greatest prize, with the Australian Rugby Union announcing they have secured the coach’s services until the end of 2019.

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said: “We could not be more delighted to have secured Michael’s services as national coach until at least the end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.

“Obviously his record as Qantas Wallabies Coach over the past 18 months speaks for itself, but it’s the wonderful culture and a renewed pride in the gold jersey that Michael has instilled in the team which has laid the foundation for continued success.

“The performance of the Wallabies at the World Cup put Rugby back on the map in a huge way in Australia and you cannot understate the influence Michael has had, along with his fine coaching team, in igniting the passion of Australian rugby fans with the way the team performed both on and off the field during the tournament.”

Cheika was named coach of the Wallabies just prior to the 2014 end of season tour to Europe, following Ewen McKenzie’s unexpected resignation in the wake of mounting off-field issues.

Cheika was the obvious choice to replace McKenzie at the helm of Australia’s national team, having led the Waratahs to a drought-breaking Super Rugby title in 2014.

In his first full season as coach, Cheika’s Wallabies won the Rugby Championship and made the World Cup final, ultimately losing to New Zealand.

It was enough to earn the former Randwick no.8 the 2015 award for World Rugby Coach of the Year.

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Of his extended contract, Cheika said: “I never imagined I would be in the position of coaching Australia and feel extremely honoured to have the opportunity to continue on for the next period though to the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“Along with the other members of our team, I will be doing my absolute best to ensure that every game that the Australian Rugby team plays between now and then fills the nation with pride and all Australians can watch the Wallabies play in a way that Australians want to see rugby played.

“It is a privilege to be associated with the people involved with our national team and playing my part in establishing the Wallabies identity for the years to come and for many years after that.”

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