Cheika takes over as Wallabies’ coach

The former Leinster and Stade Francais Paris coach is currently contracted to the NSW Waratahs until the end of 2015, and will retain that position for 2015 only while coaching the Qantas Wallabies.
 
“Central to our decision was selecting a world-class coach who can lead us to victory in next year’s Rugby World Cup and a person who represents Rugby’s core values. Michael fulfils these requirements. He is also extremely passionate and has a strong track record of motivating teams to win through plenty of hard work,” said Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver.
 
Cheika comes to the role with extensive experience in as a player and coach domestically and internationally and led the NSW Waratahs to their first Super Rugby title earlier this year. He won the Heineken Cup while he was at Leinster.
 
“I never imagined I would be in the position of coaching our national team and feel extremely honoured to have this opportunity. My mission will be to do the best possible job I can and to motivate the people around me to ensure they are able to represent Australia to the best of their ability,” said Cheika.
 
“I feel the key to any future success will be to ensure we have a strong identity and not letting anything get in the way of our preparation to succeed on the world stage.”

The Qantas Wallabies prepare on Friday for their Spring Tour, which includes games against the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England. The 33-man squad for the tour includes three changes to the group which recently assembled in Brisbane to prepare for the Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks, including the return of injured duo Matt Toomua and Ben McCalman.
 
McCalman was initially expected to miss the remainder of 2014 due to a shoulder injury but has improved significantly in recent weeks, to a point where he has been cleared by ARU medical staff to return to play. Teammate and fellow backrower Scott Fardy, will however miss the remainder of the Test season, and underwent surgery for an ongoing knee issue in Canberra this week.
 
The third change sees the inclusion of uncapped Rebels backrower Sean McMahon, one of four uncapped players in the tour party, who joins the group as one of five potential debutants, alongside prop Tetera Faulkner, centre Kyle Godwin and wingers Henry Speight and Tom English.
 
Michael Cheika Background

• 47-year-old Michael Cheika played 286 senior games for Sydney Premier Rugby club Randwick; represented Australia at Under 21 level, and played Rugby in France and Italy.
• His coaching career includes leading the NSW Waratahs to the club’s first Super Rugby title earlier this year; and leading Irish provincial side Leinster for five years and winning the club’s first Heineken Cup in 2009. He has also coached in Italy (Petrarca Rugby in Padova), France (Stade Français in Paris) and at his home club Randwick.
• Michael Cheika’s experience outside Rugby includes running a fashion distribution company and working for one of Australia’s leading fashion designers, Collette Dinnigan.
• Michael Cheika grew up in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and is the son of Lebanese migrants.
• He is married with four young children

Qantas Wallabies Spring Tour Squad