Michael Cheika quits as Australia coach following Rugby World Cup exit
The Wallabies coach steps down after exiting in Japan at the hands of Eddie Jones’ England
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Michael Cheika has quit as Australia coach following their exit from the Rugby World Cup.
With his contract due to expire at the end of the year, Cheika has confirmed that he will not be seeking reappointment as head coach of the Wallabies, with his side dumped out of the World Cup in a 40-16 defeat against England in Saturday’s quarter-final clash.
Cheika had previously promised to step down if Australia failed to win the World Cup, and has honoured that promise.
“I put my chips in earlier in the year I told people, ‘No win, no play,”’ Cheika said.
“I’m the type of man who (is) 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.”
The coach leaves Australia after five years in charge.
He guided the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2015, losing a tight final to New Zealand.
His tenure has been plagued by criticism of style and selection, and a faliure to solidify certain selections at a number of key positions, particularly fly-half and in the back row, where his attempts to fit both Michael Hooper and David Pocock in often proved detrimental.
Cheika admitted that he would like to stay in the role, but will honour his promised to step aside.
“I put my chips in earlier in the year I told people no win, no play.
“I had no regrets about making the call but yes I would love to stay on,” he continued.
“I’m really attached to the team and it’s an honour doing this role, coach of Australia.
“It’s not given to a lot of people and I take it with a lot of pride and a lot of honour but like I said I made my call and I wanted to show that I prepared to put myself on the line to achieve what I believed the team could. We didn’t do that and I’ve got to stand by what I said.”
Rugby Australia released a statement on Sunday evening, with CEO Raelene Castle thanking Cheika for his work.
“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,” she said in the statement.
“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.”
Cheika leaves with a win percentage of exactly 50%, losing 32 and drawing two of his 68 games in charge.
Dave Rennie, currently in charge of the Glasgow Warriors and highly rated for his work with the Chiefs in his native New Zealand, is among the contenders for the role.
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