Cheika to coach Wallabies and Tahs; Rugby 365

The Australian Rugby Union on Wednesday confirmed that Michael Cheika is the new Wallaby coach, ahead of a tough European tour.

He has been appointed on a three-year contract, coming in the wake of the controversial departure of Ewen McKenzie as a result of the fall-out over the Kurtley Beale saga.

ARU Chief Executive Officer Bill Pulver said Michael Cheika was the outstanding candidate for the role.
 
"Central to our decision was selecting a world-class coach who can lead us to victory in next year's World Cup and a person who represents the game's core values," Pulver said.
 
"Michael fulfils these requirements. He is also extremely passionate and has a strong track record of motivating teams to win through plenty of hard work.
 
"I'm confident he will embrace this new challenge and on behalf of the Australian Rugby community, I would like to congratulate him on his appointment," Pulver added.
 
He described the 47-year-old as "the only coach in history to coach both a European Cup winning side and a Super Rugby winning side".

Cheika's track record includes winning the European Cup with Irish side Leinster in 2009 and the Waratahs' maiden Super Rugby title earlier this year.

"I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but I am up for the challenge," said Cheika, appointed following last Saturday's surprise resignation of Ewen McKenzie.

"I'll be doing my best, that's the only thing I can guarantee," he added.

"I feel the key to any future success will be to ensure we have a strong identity and not letting anything get in the way of our preparation to succeed on the world stage."

The Wallabies are due to fly to Europe on Friday for a five-match tour, which includes Tests against Wales, France, Ireland and England.

Cheika is still contracted to the Waratahs until the end of 2015 and will retain that position while coaching the Wallabies.

McKenzie dropped his bombshell shortly after New Zealand narrowly beat Australia 29-28 in the final Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane, throwing the European tour into chaos.

Cheika said he was humbled by his appointment.
 
"I never imagined I would be in the position of coaching our national team and feel extremely honoured to have this opportunity.
 
"My mission will be to do the best possible job I can and to motivate the people around me to ensure they are able to represent Australia to the best of their ability.
 
"I feel the key to any future success will be to ensure we have a strong identity and not letting anything get in the way of our preparation to succeed on the world stage."
 
Cheika comes to the role with extensive experience in Rugby as a player and coach domestically and internationally and led the NSW Waratahs to their first-ever Super Rugby title earlier this year.
 
The 47-year-old Cheika played 286 senior games for Sydney Premiership club Randwick; represented Australia Under-21 and played in France and Italy.

His coaching career includes leading the Waratahs to the franchise's first-ever Super Rugby title earlier this year; and leading Irish provincial side Leinster for five years and winning the province's first ever European Cup in 2009.

He has also coached in Italy (Petrarca in Padova), France (Stade Français in Paris) and at his home club Randwick.

Cheika grew up in Sydney's Eastern suburbs and is the son of Lebanese migrants.

He is married with four young children and speaks French, Italian and Arabic.

Rugby: Cheika named Wallabies coach; NZ Herald

Michael Cheika has been appointed Wallabies coach for the next three years.

Cheika's appointment was confirmed by Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver in Sydney on Wednesday following several days of negotiations since Ewen McKenzie resigned after Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test loss in Brisbane.

He will have to hit the ground running as the Wallabies are scheduled to fly to Europe on Friday for their five-match tour, which includes a game against the Barbarians and Tests against Wales, France, Ireland and England.

Fiery and forthright, Cheika, who guided the NSW Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title this year, has less than a year to work with the Wallabies before the World Cup in Britain.

Under his new deal with the ARU, Cheika will also remain in charge of the Waratahs for the 2015 Super Rugby season.

"I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but I am up for the challenge," said Cheika, who becomes the Wallabies' third coach in 15 months.

He arrives with the team mired in controversy over the Kurtley Beale texting affair and with many supporters disillusioned by the off-field drama along with some disappointing recent results on the field.

He promised to give supporters performances to be proud of.

"Any time I am involved with a team it's expected that supporters are proud of their efforts every time they play," said Cheika.

Cheika declined to discuss the future of his NSW Waratahs star Beale, who has been stood down and faces a hearing on Friday.

"I won't be answering any questions on that today...I don't want to prejudice anything that's going to happen with Kurtley in any way," said Cheika.

The ARU has come in for criticism over the delay in the appointment, with the Wallabies scheduled to fly out on Friday.

"It's probably my fault more than anyone's because I wanted to make sure there was a lot of clarity," said Cheika.

He believed there was plenty of scope to improve the team ahead of the World Cup.

"There's a lot of players that still need to rise to their full potential and that's the job of the coach."

Despite recent speculation about the blunt-speaking Cheika's relationship with ARU bosses, he said he was ready to work with them.

"There's been a few reports about my relationship with people at the ARU..and I think that's borne more out of me wanting to do the best for the Waratahs in my negotiations with the ARU," said Cheika.

"I won't make any excuses for fighting for my team (Waratahs)."

Cheika will head a three-man coaching set-up on the Europe tour with his NSW Waratahs defence coach Nathan Grey called in and joining incumbent forwards coach Andrew Blades.

Melbourne Rebels loose forward Sean McMahon and Western Force prop Tetera Faulkner are bolters among five uncapped players named in the 33-man Wallabies tour squad.

The others yet to play for Australia are Western Force centre Kyle Godwin, Brumbies winger Henry Speight and Melbourne Rebels winger Tom English.

New wallabies coach Michael Cheika

Age: 47

Playing career: Sydney club Randwick (1985-1999): Played more than 300 games as No.8, winning seven Shute Shields and captaining the Galloping Greens from 1997-99.

Coaching career: Padova, Italy (1999-2000); Randwick (2002-2004): won Sydney premiership in 2004; Leinster, Ireland (2005-2010): led club to its first Heineken Cup title in 2009; Stade Francais, France (2010-2012); NSW Waratahs (2013-14): led the Tahs to their long-awaited first Super Rugby title in 2014; Australia (2014-): Assumes Wallabies job following Ewen McKenzie's resignation on Saturday.