Cheika impressed by Forrest's rugby goals

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he is not across the details of Andrew Forrest's new rugby competition but says the mining magnate has the right intentions.

Michael Cheika.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says Andrew Forrest wants to make rugby better in Australia. (AAP)

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is convinced billionaire Andrew Forrest wants to return rugby to its glory days but says he needs to work with the Australian Rugby Union to do it.

The pair met in Perth last week before Forrest unveiled plans for a Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship (IPRC), which would the Western Force, and said he believed the mining magnate had the right intentions.

"The one thing I walked away from that meeting thinking is that's a guy who genuinely wants to try and make rugby better in Australia," Cheika said.

"He's fought the hard fight for the Force and whatever happens from now on, he also wants, not only for them, but also to make Australian rugby stronger.

"Now, it's a question of anything like that has to be done in collaboration to have that effect."

Cheika said he had been focused on the Wallabies, who take on Argentina this Saturday in Canberra, and wasn't across the finer details of the proposed tournament.

He said he couldn't comment on whether players in the IPRC would be eligible for the Wallabies.

"I couldn't answer you right now because there's no solid detail," he said.

"The way this works best is in collaboration with the union, all together, and making the game better."

The ARU is yet to endorse the proposed competition.


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Source: AAP



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