After five years at the helm, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has resigned his position after Saturday’s quarter-final loss to England.
The 16-40 defeat brought to an end an underwhelming World Cup campaign where the Wallabies never really seemed to find the right form or on-field combinations.
Cheika was initially reluctant to confirm the news in his immediate post-game press conference, despite having previously declared that he would stand down from the role if Australia failed at the World Cup.
However less than 24 hours late Chieka confirmed that he would resign his position.
“I got asked the question in the press conference, you would’ve been there and listening, about what’s going to happen going forward and at the time I wasn’t keen to answer but I always knew the answer in my head, I just wanted to speak to my wife and tell a few people up there about it,” said Cheika on Sunday.
“I put my chips in earlier in the year I told people no win, no play.
“So, I’m the type of man who always going to back what he says and I knew from the final whistle but I just wanted to give it that little bit time to cool down, talk to my people and then make it clear.”
Cheika took over as coach of the Wallabies in 2014 after the shock resignation of previous coach Ewan McKenzie, and guided the Wallabies to a Rugby Championship title and second place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup within his first 12 months in the role.
That would however prove to be the peak of his time as national coach, with a 0-3 series loss to England in 2016 the beginning of four years of patchy and frustrating Wallabies form that has culminated in 2019’s early World Cup exit.
“On behalf of Rugby Australia, I want to thank Michael for his dedication and service to the role of Wallabies Head Coach since taking up the position in 2014,” said Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.
“Michael is a passionate and experienced coach who worked tirelessly to get the best out his players. He cares deeply about the Wallabies and the game of rugby, and always set out with the aim of making Wallabies fans proud of the team’s performances.
“Michael came into the role at a turbulent time, and experienced immediate success by taking the Wallabies to a World Cup Final after only one year in the job. He was later given the ultimate recognition for that achievement by being named World Rugby Coach of the Year.
“Now that the Wallabies have exited the tournament, Rugby Australia’s Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson will lead a thorough review of the Rugby World Cup campaign and the 2019 season.
“This is an important process which is undertaken at the completion of each tournament or series and this review will examine all aspects of the Wallabies program, from coaching to physical preparation, player fitness, and skill development.
“As expected at the end of a Rugby World Cup year, there are a handful of senior players leaving the Wallabies program and coaching staff coming off contract ahead of next year.
“There has already been much work completed in preparing for the future in this regard, and that work will also continue until the end of the year.”
joeb
Roar Rookie
“As a Waratah supporter I am a huge fan of Michael Cheika, so my comments may seem biased…” Your bias is understandable. Quote: “In just his second season in charge [of NSW in 2014], Cheika coached the Waratahs to their first ever Super Rugby title, with the team finishing seven points ahead of their nearest rivals, the Crusaders.[13] The Waratahs defeated the Brumbies 26–8 in the semifinal which earned them a first home final against their Christchurch-based rivals, the Crusaders, whom the Waratahs had not defeated in over a decade. In the 2014 Super Rugby final the Waratahs beat the Crusaders by a single point, 33-32, in a nail-biter witnessed by a record Super Rugby crowd of over 61,007 people at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.[5]” Who can ever forget it. “During the 2015 Super Rugby season, the Waratahs campaign to retain their title started with a 25–13 loss to the Western Force in Sydney, which was later followed by a second loss to the Force in Round 13, losing 18–11 in Perth. Cheika led the Waratahs to a 29–24 win over the eventual New Zealand conference winners the Hurricanes in Wellington, and a 32–22 win over the Crusaders in Sydney. Across the 16 matches of the 2015 regular season the Waratahs conceded 11 yellow cards. Two players, Will Skelton and Tolu Latu, were suspended from playing during the latter stages of the tournament leading to Cheika’s tactics being questioned. The Waratahs had lost to the Highlanders 26–19 in Dunedin in Round 5 and were defeated by them again in the semifinal in Sydney by 35–17. It was a surprise for some how well the Waratahs did, considering the team had to play for 10 consecutive weeks between their second bye and the knock out stage, which included their two away matches against South Africa opposition.[citation needed]” Yes, we were unfortunate not to win back-to-back Super titles under Chek’s direction, i.e. thought he leapt at the soon-to-be vacated Wallabies job a bit too quickly, but that’s life. “I wish him [Chek] well for the future and thank him for being our coach. I hope he and Robbie Deans are not lost to Australian rugby.” Well said. Was hoping either would rebuild the Tahs for us, but seemingly not. “Their contributions to our national team have been immense. It may seem a step down to work at the provincial level again, but Super rugby is so important we need coaches of their level [calibre] to develop our players. As Eddie Jones has shown there is a path back to [the] top if they want it.” The money’s pretty good in France so Chek’s bank balance is destined to remain healthy for a while to come yet, plus he doesn’t gamble, so all’s well. Erm, I’m hoping Eddie Jones, who wants to return home according to yesterday’s paper, throws his hat into the ring regarding the vacant Wallabies job… (What’s wrong with the darn paragraphing feature in this thing? Doesn’t work.)
Brucey
Guest
Look mate, Cheika made his team run the ball from everywhere. It was his plan A B & C. Your apologist stuff doesn't argue away Cheika myopic rugby union game plan. If I want to see players running from inside the goal line, I'll watch state of origin. I suggest you study the Wales v SA game and RE LEARN why rugby and NRL are two different codes.
Richie
Roar Rookie
Chill out Johl. I was just putting the onus on our coach and players instead of the refs!
watcher
Guest
I am a Kiwi and an ardent All Black fan. However, over the years I have admired and enjoyed watching some very good Wallabies teams. I think that unfortunately the last 4 years have been a lost opportunity for Aussie Rugby. Cheika is an unashamedly one eyed supporter of Aussie Rugby, and that is to his credit. He is a successful man in life and family and as a Coach he had great success with franchises in both hemispheres. When he got the National job I believe it exposed weaknesses. He seems to be an average selector, this current generation of Wallabies should be at the level of the All Blacks consistently, it isn't because of his chopping and changing of the lineup. He also becomes too emotionally charged and creates the 'us and them', mindset. Who replaces him? I have read Dave Rennie is high up the list. I think he is a great Coach. I was living in the Manawatu when he took over a basket case Union. They had a 100 points put on them by the Lions the year before. It was amazing how he turned them round, not into world beaters but a well organised and skilful team that played the 80. Fairly obvious what he he did with the Chiefs. Perhaps a Coaching duo of Scott Johnson and Rennie?
Faithful
Roar Rookie
Cameron Clyne. Have a read of the handling of the Western Force case, Israel Falou case, Chieka etc etc. I won’t discuss/argue about the merits of the right or wrongness of the decisions but what is clear in all cases is a lack of courageous leadership. All of it stinks of gutless behind the scenes scheming and weak leadership from the very top.
Garry
Guest
Cheika ‘s results were well under the top?
Garry
Guest
OJ, I was laying bait for the Kiwi DNA lovers. It went thru to the keeper. Apologies.
Garry
Guest
Juxtapose that with how better that team would have been not under Deans ( the NZRU mole).
bungeye
Roar Rookie
Maybe, you're a confused wallaby supporter? Take some time out and find something that's true to yourself!
soapit
Roar Guru
Who's the chairman?
Faithful
Roar Rookie
Agree - and the chairman is one of them
Richie
Roar Rookie
No not saying that but it sure sounds like you are.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why would you want them to have a strong relationship with a failing coach? If his failure doesn’t weaken their relationship they’d be blind.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Might say rather more about Castle and Clyne (sounds like a firm of lawyers) TWAS. Try as they might I don't think the legal firm can remove itself from this stench.
James in NZ
Guest
Yeah the older I get the more I'm appreciating how countries like the US and OZ, instead of being 'united states' are more so like lots of little countries within a bigger country. When it all comes together it can be glorious though. (Please no diversity mantras). A complete outsider coming in needs to be above all of that somehow, or a local who has done good, needs to be a real talisman John Eales, beyond regional reproach type of figure I guess. Not too many them laying around I suppose. Its a hard call, too many individual ambitions to satisfy.
Wyn
Guest
Agree - Jamie for Aussie coach. He turned the underperforming Highlanders into a Champion team, his influence has made the Sunwolves a very exciting team to watch and now his success with Japan ..
bungeye
Roar Rookie
So are you saying Aussies are dirty players and deliberately go out there to infringe? Do you really think the coaches spend hours doing oppo analysis on ways to deliberately hinder the opposition by employing dirty tricks? Or is it time we get Jake white who's tactics are geared towards how its refereed, not how it should be. But that wouldn't be the Australian way, would it?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
And Fionn most importantly, one only part failed to adhere to the requirements of their contract.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Citation pls? Or do you mean this: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/victoria-to-host-bledisloe-cup-british-and-irish-lions-as-part-of-eightyear-aru-deal-20171027-gz9kb3.html Which occured in 2017 before Raelene commenced and the Vic Government agreed to funding the Rebels as part of an 8 match test deal with guaranteed income. At no stage does RA pass on the amount to the Rebels. The Vic Government provides funding to them and pays RA.
OJ
Roar Rookie
Well what we have done doesn’t seem to be working does it ? How about we change the paradigm or is that just too darn scary ?