Rugby World Cup 2019: Michael Cheika remains coy over Australia future after thrashing against England

The Wallabies coach has refused to reveal whether he will stay in his job after his team's humbling World Cup exit

An emotional Michael Cheika decided the immediate aftermath of Australia’s record-equalling defeat against England was not the right time to confirm if he has taken charge of the Wallabies for the final time, even though his refusal to change their tactical approach cost them the game.

Australia fought back from two swift Jonny May tries to trail England by just a one ay 17-16 with the bulk of the second half still remaining, but failed to capitalise on the position and did not register another point as England seized control.

Two of England’s four tries came from interceptions as the Wallabies simply refused to adapt their free-flowing possession-based game, resulting in Australia suffering their earliest World Cup defeat for 12 years since their famous loss to the same opposition in Marseille.

Asked whether he had planned the future, Chieka struck an emotional response. "Mate, I will be honest, it is a cruel, cruel world nowadays when you are asking that question two minutes after we've been knocked out of the World Cup,” he said.

"And if you find it inside you, to find a little bit of compassion for people who are hurting, to just ask the more relevant questions, because I will tell you, I came here with only one thought in my mind about winning here and that thought has just disappeared now.

"I know that is what the papers demand but perhaps whatever your news outlet is should think about people's feelings just for a minute.

"When the time comes I'll tell you. You don't need to know today. It's not going to kill you."

Cheika will be left wondering what could have been though. Three Christian Lealiifano penalties were added to by Marika Koroibete’s beautiful second-half try, which appeared to knock England momentarily onto the ropes until Kyle Sinckler’s try a handful of minutes later restored the advantage.

But the Wallabies coach had no regrets over the style of play he implemented at this tournament, even if it did prove a catalyst to their early departure.

“I don't think so at all,” said Cheika in response to whether he got his tactics wrong. “I don't know if we didn't kick. We made a few kicks, one try resulted from that.

"We gave away two intercepts. They hurt. That is the way we play footy. I am not going to a kick-and-defend game. Call me naive but that's not what I am doing. I would rather win playing our way, that's the way Aussies want us to play."

Jonny May's two tries in 180 seconds transformed England's win over Australia (Getty)

The defeat will start the fallout of what went wrong for the Wallabies not just in Japan but during what has been a turbulent 12 months, although it did bring down the curtain on a number of players’ careers, including that of flanker David Pocock, and captain Michael Hooper was keen to acknowledge what those players have done for the country.

"I am gutted, absolutely gutted, for a couple of reasons,” said Hooper. “There are a lot of players who won't get another chance at a World Cup, some guys have done a lot of work to get into this squad.

"I certainly feel that weight as well of not being able to get our team across the line. It hurts."

Cheika added: "I am feeling very disappointed, obviously. I imagine all Australians will be.

“We really went into the game looking to play our Australian style of footy, which we did a lot of just not clinical enough to finish off opportunities. England defended very well. Sometimes you have just got to suck that up and wear it, that's life.

"I want to thank all our fans. We've had great support here and at home. I feel that weight, we should have delivered for them."