Under-fire Cheika to face Rugby Australia board

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Wallaby coach Michael Cheika will have the chance to defend himself and present his future plans for the national team in front of the Rugby Australia board.

The Wallabies have only won three from nine Test matches this year so far, which is a poor return for a team with a number of experienced campaigners in their ranks.

A 45-34 victory over Argentina in Salta on Saturday seems to have eased some pressure on Cheika. The Wallabies fought back from 7-31 down at half-time to win that match.

However, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle is not paying too much attention to that one result.

“The reality is that of the Test matches we have played this year we are three from nine,” Castle told rugby.com.au.

“So, there are still some elements of performance that we can’t hide from that are still not up to the level that we would expect from a Wallabies team.

“We are expecting that Michael will come and present to us around those performances and what his plans would be going into that end of year tour, and then into the lead up to the World Cup.”

Despite the Wallabies poor form, Cheika is still expected to be in charge of the team for next year’s World Cup in Japan.

“At the end of the day Michael has a contract to coach through to the World Cup and that hasn’t changed,” Castle said.

“We would be expecting that he will come and present us with his plans for the Spring Tour and into the World Cup.

“Myself and the Rugby Australia board will take those comments on and move forward from there.”

Castle added: “Michael recognises there are performances at a level that he wouldn’t accept from the Wallabies.”

“He will be reviewing that, he will present to the board and he will present a plan as to how he sees that moving forward.

“The board will then assess against that plan.”

Source: rugby.com.au