Cheika circling the Wallaby job
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It has been reported that Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is in talks with the ARU with regards to accepting the recently vacated Wallabies' head coaching post.
Since former coach Ewen McKenzie spectacularly quit the role after the Wallabies narrow 28-29 defeat to the All Blacks in the final Bledisloe Test last weekend, speculation has been rife as to who will take on the post – which needs to be filled by Friday, according the ARU.
Cheika is the overwhelming favourite to replace McKenzie after he led the Waratahs to Super Rugby glory this year over the Crusaders in Sydney.
An informed source told The Australian that Cheika had agreed to take the Wallabies job and was negotiating the details with the ARU.
It is understood Cheika met with ARU chief executive Bill Pulver on Sunday and is meeting with him again this week.
The ARU is keen to appoint a new head coach before the Wallabies embark for their five-Test tour of Europe on Friday.
There is further speculation Cheika will be allowed to coach both the Waratahs and the Wallabies in the World Cup year in 2015.
With no June Tests and a curtailed Rugby Championship next season, however, that would allow the new coach precious little time to put his imprint on the squad.
Other candidates mooted in local media were Australia's World Cup-winning former flyhalf Stephen Larkham, who is an assistant coach at the Brumbies, and Melbourne Rebels coach Tony McGahan.
The official position of the Wallabies on Monday was that ARU was still in the process of investigating options to replace McKenzie and that no prospective coaches had been confirmed yet.
The #ARU is still in the process of investigating options to replace Ewen McKenzie, following his resignation last Saturday. (1/3)
— Qantas Wallabies (@QantasWallabies) October 20, 2014
At this stage, no prospective coaches have been confirmed in the role (2/3)
— Qantas Wallabies (@QantasWallabies) October 20, 2014
We hope to have a solution in place and announced before the team leaves for the Spring Tour on Friday. (3/3)
— Qantas Wallabies (@QantasWallabies) October 20, 2014
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