'Bittersweet' award for Cheika
Cheika became the first Wallabies' coach to win the award since Rod Macqueen back in 2001. All Blacks flyhalf Daniel Carter was named Player of the Year, while New Zealand were named Team of the Year at the awards ceremony in London on Sunday.
"It was a bit of a surprise really," said Cheika after being named Coach of the Year.
"Only a day after the Final it's still very bittersweet and it's certainly not the prize we were looking to collect.
"I'm really honoured, don't get me wrong at all and I'm not quite sure how I beat Steve Hansen with two World Cups in a row. But it's been such an enjoyable time with the team, the staff and the year we've had together so far. It's only new but it's been really, really enjoyable and we want to try and improve on what we do and make Australia really proud of its national rugby team.
Cheika said a lot of the players who played in the World Cup Final will still be around for the next event in Japan in 2019.
"We want to try and keep the core of this squad together. We've got a lot of young guys who can go right through to the next World Cup.
"We've still got our older guys giving the side experience and bringing younger guys through, playing well and then meeting every occasion as it comes."
World champions' New Zealand will be saying goodbye to a number of stalwarts, including Carter, who remains positive about the team's future.
"There's been a lot of talk about the guys finishing up and potentially playing their last game in the All Black jersey but the beauty of New Zealand rugby is that there's just so much young talent," said Carter, who won the Player of the Year award for a third time.
"It's a real strength. The guys that are departing will be replaced, it's as simple as that. There's just so much depth there.
"With Steve [Hansen] coaching them he will continue to drive such high standards, which is expected when being part of the All Blacks. I'm confident that the success of the All Blacks doesn't finish now."
One player looking to help continue the All Blacks' success in the future is Nehe Milner-Skudder. The Hurricanes' player, who picked up the Breakthrough Player of the Year award, scored six tries in this year's World Cup.
"It's huge. I just pinch myself every day to be in this setup and be an All Black and to get recognised like this alongside the other two players," said Milner-Skudder.
"I would like to congratulate the other two lads [Mark Bennett and Vasil Lobzhanidze] for their nominations and their achievements this year.
"Thinking back 12 months from where I am now, I definitely didn't picture myself sitting here with a World Cup medal and having this award here next to me so I'm just really thankful for all the support I've had along the way."
Source: @WorldRugby
