Michael Cheika puts Wallabies coaching job on the line

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has put his job on the line ahead of the World Cup - and Rugby Australia is already headhunting for possible replacements.

The Qantas Wallabies train at Wests Bulldogs Rugby Union Club, Brisbane. Head coach Michael Cheika. Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

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Wallabies boss Michael Cheika has reaffirmed he must win the World Cup or he’s gone as Test coach in the glory-or-bust scenario he has painted for himself.

The five-year Test coach laid out his view that he will have earned the right to stay on with a tournament triumph as outsiders in Japan later this year.

Cheika was happily responding to Scott Johnson, Rugby Australia’s new director of rugby, saying the shortlist for his successor will be compiled concurrently and include foreign coaches.

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has put his job on the line. Picture: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

“I believe I should put myself on the line,” Cheika said in Johannesburg where his team is chasing winning momentum early on Sunday morning (AEST) against South Africa.

“Winning the World Cup is the dream of all of us and we want to turn it into a reality (even though) I know most would think that a pipedream.

“We were second (2015), it’s been a four-year run, and you come first this time I think I will have earnt the right to stay on as coach.

“If I don’t someone else gets the opportunity and I think that’s fair.”

Rugby Australia director of rugby Scott Johnson (left) talks with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in Johannesburg. Picture: Stu Walmsley/Rugby Australia Media.

Quality, not an Aussie passport, will dictate planning for Cheika’s successor next year as the jarring prospect of a foreign coach looms.

Kiwi coach Dave Rennie, tied to Glasgow Warriors until June next year, will be on every short list but just what Australian contenders will vie with him is far more unclear.

Johnson admitted the search for a 2020 coach had to bubble away in the background.

When asked about Rennie, a two-time Super Rugby winner with the Chiefs, Johnson was appropriately vague.

“There’s everyone in the frame that’s coaching around the world is in the frame,” Johnson said.

“We’re trying to find someone that suits (but) we’ve got a job to do here, the coach can wait.”

When asked directly if an Australian would be the next Wallabies coach, Johnson’s worldwide search was clear.

“It’s hypocritical for me to sit here and say that...I don’t put a nationality next to the next person,” Johnson said.

“I think we’re after quality, that’s what we’re after. We also need to invest in our coaching in Australia because there are young coaches of promise to develop so we’ve got enough people there to pick from.”

Kiwi coach Dave Rennie is a contender to replace Cheika. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

His key role at Rugby Australia is not just to bring home Test-hardened players like James O’Connor and Nic White from English clubs and keep working on a way for giant lock Will Skelton to do the same after his stellar season with champion English club Saracens.

Creating more chances for home-grown coaches, like Shaun Berne’s elevation as Wallabies’ attack coach, is as big a priority.

Johnson is excited by the new Cheika-Berne partnership: “He (Berne) has got real talent and he aligns with Cheik’s philosophy so there’s that real synergy and we’re really hopeful with the team to play slightly differently.”

Former Waratah Shaun Berne is the new attack coach for the Wallabies. Picture: Mark Evans

Johnson could give no timeline on when a possible shortlist of coaching options for 2020 would be drawn up.

“We’re doing our due diligence. It’s not like we’re sitting back and doing nothing...we’ve got a proper process,” Johnson said.

“Rest assured that Australia’s interest is at heart because we want to make sure Wallaby rugby is good at all levels.”

Rennie is also being courted by the NSW Waratahs while Aussie Scott Wisemantel is another name floated.

Aussie Scott Wisemantel is currently working as the attack coach for the England national team. Picture: Pul Faith/AFP

Finding the right replacement for former All Black Daryl Gibson as Waratahs coach is major too because having another coach, unable to coach the Wallabies, in charge of the biggest rugby state would be folly.

“The beauty of it is we’re getting a more aligned system in Australia and whilst it’s a Waratahs pick we certainly are being involved in the process,” Johnson said.

Skelton has been a revelation at Saracens where he has lost more than 20kg and discussions about getting him back to Australian rugby have gone on.

“There’s discussions with all our players overseas, especially if they want to come back and commit to us. Will’s not unlike some others,” Johnson said.