SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Cheika rules out coaching England

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he has no interest in the vacant England job.

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has ruled out any interest in the England coaching role. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Michael Cheika has ruled out any interest in the England coaching role and said he's fully committed to the Wallabies.

The news is a blow to the Rugby Football Union, who are looking for a big name to rebuild the nation's reputation as a rugby power and were keen of making contact with Cheika following Australia's superb World Cup campaign.

Stuart Lancaster stood down as coach this month with more than four years left on his contract after a disastrous campaign on home soil that saw England become the first side in World Cup history to fail to qualify for the knock-out stages.

But the former Leinster and Stade Francais mentor, who is in London to coach the Barbarians at Twickenham this weekend, said he's no interest in a return to Europe.

"No one from England has contacted me and they know that they can't contact me because I'm committed to Australia and that's where I want to be coaching," Cheika said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I'm an Australian coaching Australia, it's like the dream. There's nothing that would make me change my mind.

"I never thought I'd be coaching Australia. I'm enjoying it and I want to do the best I can in this role for as long as I can.

"You want to make sure that you give everything when you have the opportunity.

"When the chance comes to coach Australia, you don't say no to that. I've enjoyed the first year of doing it, it's been fantastic."

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie is looking for a coach of "proven international experience", but Cheika's desire to continue at the helm of Australia has thinned an ever-decreasing field that now offers few options.

New Zealand's Steve Hansen, Joe Schmidt of Ireland and Wales boss Warren Gatland have stated they are not interested, as have Graham Henry and Wayne Smith who have compiled outstanding CVs with the All Blacks.

Eddie Jones, the mastermind of Japan's remarkable World Cup victory over South Africa last month, has distanced himself from becoming Lancaster's replacement and to date the only proven international coach to have invited an approach is Jake White.

However, White has not coached a Test team since steering the Springboks to glory at France 2007.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world