Rugby 2022: Michael Cheika to coach Argentina at 2023 World Cup

Coaching foes Michael Cheika and Eddie Jones are set to face off again at a World Cup.

Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika are set to go head-to-head again at the Rugby World Cup. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP

Michael Cheika and Eddie Jones are set to go head-to-head at another World Cup.

Argentine newspaper La Nacion reported overnight that Cheika is now the new head coach of Los Pumas and will take them through to the 2023 World Cup.

Cheika, whose phone went to message bank when we tried calling, is to replace his friend Mario Ledesma, who recently announced his shock decision to resign.

Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

According to the La Nacion report, Cheika will be head coach and Felipo Contemponi his assistant until the World Cup, and then Contemponi will take over as head coach after the tournament in France next year.

Ironically, Argentina’s first World Cup game is against England on September 9, 2023 in Marseille.

England coach Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika are set to go head-to-head again at another World Cup. Picture: Adrian Dennis/AFP

That means Cheika will face nemesis Eddie Jones yet again.

In 2015, Cheika’s Wallabies thumped England 33-13 at Twickenham to knock the hosts out in the pool stages, which forced England to sack coach Stuart Lancaster and replace him with Jones.

In 2019, England had their revenge, hammering Australia 40-16 in the quarter-finals – the Wallabies’ worst result at a World Cup.

Cheika had previously been helping Ledesma in the Argentine set-up, and helped them in their famous win over the All Blacks in 2020.

The pair are close, with Ledesma helping Cheika as forwards coach for NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies during their 2015 campaign, when they made the World Cup final before losing to the All Blacks.

Cheika and Jones, former Randwick teammates, have a rollercoaster history and continually traded barbs during their international clashes.

Jones finished with a staggering 7-0 record against Cheika in England versus Wallabies matches from 2015-19, before Cheika vacated the job for Dave Rennie.

Before Cheika can get at Jones, he will coach directly against Rennie and the Wallabies this year during The Rugby Championship.

Originally published as Rugby 2022: Michael Cheika to coach Argentina at 2023 World Cup