Cheika confirms Wallaby talks

 

Cheika, who led the Waratahs to the Super Rugby title this season, would replace Ewen McKenzie, who announced he was resigning after Australia lost to New Zealand in a Bledisloe Cup match Saturday.

 

Australia leaves for a five-match European tour on Friday. 

 

On Tuesday, the ARU was scheduled to name its team for the tour, at which time the reports suggested Cheika would be confirmed as the new coach.

 

Cheika confirmed that he had spoken to the ARU on Monday – "it's a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be a part of something like that but we'll see what happens."

 

Meanwhile, with the ARU are trying to hastily build a coaching team, Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has knocked back the chance to be part of the new set-up for the upcoming tour.

 

The former World Cup-winning Wallabies playmaker was tipped to be the attack coach and work as an assistant to Michael Cheika, whose appointment as head coach is expected to be confirmed by Wednesday.

 

However, Larkham wants to concentrate on preparing for his first season as a solo head coach after Laurie Fisher's appointment as head coach of English club Gloucester.

 

"While I was honoured to be considered, I felt like taking five weeks out of my first solo preparation for a Super Rugby season wouldn't be fair on the Brumbies, the local community or my family," Larkham said in a statement issued by the Brumbies on Tuesday.

 

"I am passionate about the success of Australian rugby, but at this point in time I think I can best serve the Wallabies by remaining focused on the Brumbies, who I hope will make up the backbone of the squad leading into the World Cup."

 

Reports continue to circulate around Cheika with another source stating that he is said to have accepted a three-year deal.

 

Even before his appointment, the Waratahs coach is getting backing from some high profile personalities.

 

Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has backed the successful Waratahs coach to control the at-times disruptive personalities – the likes of Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor – and turnaround the Wallabies in time for next year's World Cup.

 

He also felt Cheika, a self-made man, would not let detractors get to him. 

 

"He knows the context intimately. He's come out of the heart of it; out of Randwick.

 

"That was where he was a good appointment for the Waratahs. His personality doesn't get involved in the off field stuff.

 

"He drives the group to the things that are important and doesn't get distracted by the politics. That will be an asset.

 

"He might have to adapt some of his off-field antics…

 

"Cheika is very much an ambush merchant. His flame burns hot so he will get a lift out of the group.

 

"That's the nature of World Cup rugby; it's a one-off event. If they come through their pool [which also contains England, Wales and Fiji] effectively they're very well positioned.

 

"They've got the talent to win the next World Cup. That was evident in their last outing.

 

"They've won two World Cups and could be the first nation to win three."