Michael Cheika reveals he was in discussions to coach Argentina before taking Wallabies job

IN a wideranging interview, Michael Cheika reveals he was in talks to coach Argentina, and discusses Kurtley Beale, Ewen McKenzie, Israel Folau and more.

Michael Cheika poses for a portrait after being named as Wallabies coach during a press conference at Australian Rugby headquarters in St Leonards, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

NEW Test coach Michael Cheika has signalled a swift return into the Wallabies ranks for Kurtley Beale by labelling the troubled Waratah as a “friend” who hasn’t lost his respect throughout the text message saga.

“Respect is always given until it is lost and he certainly hasn’t lost mine,” Cheika said.

Though Beale is eligible for selection, the ARU said he’d spoken to Cheika yesterday and it was determined he wouldn’t be rushed over to London, and instead be on standby in the case of injury.

Cheika opened up on his strong support for Beale in a wide-ranging interview before flying out to Europe on Friday, in which he also admitted he was in discussions to sign on as coach of Argentina prior to getting the Wallabies job; he missed the Ewen McKenzie resignation because he was at a bucks night and Roosters coach Trent Robinson will join the Wallabies camp in Wales next week.

Cheika also said keeping another of his Waratah charge, Israel Folau, out of the reaches of big-spending clubs like Toulon and in Australian rugby would be a big priority.

KURTLEY BEALE

While Beale was eligible for selection, the ARU confirmed he would not be rushed over to London, barring injury.

Speaking before Friday’s Code of Conduct hearing, Cheika made it clear he had been backing his Waratahs player during the Di Patston text saga and had been in constant contact.

“I’ve spoken to him because I am worried about the person. He is under pressure as a friend,” Cheika said.

Kurtley Beale and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika.

“Obviously, I looked after him while was at the Waratahs ... but not as his coach. You have to build a relationship beyond just to coach. People who offer you respect and follow your direction like he did at the Waratahs deserve my respect n matter what situation he is in.

“I have been worried about him because it has been highly stressful for him. Not for charity but out of respect for the person. I think every person deserves that respect no matter what. That’s where it starts. Respect is always given until it is lost and he certainly hasn’t lost mine. I will look out for him for his own health.”

EWEN MCKENZIE

Cheika admitted he was enjoying a few beers with mates on a bucks night when Ewen McKenzie’s resignation last Saturday night made him the Wallabies coach-elect. Though ARU boss Bill Pulver had rung earlier in the day, he’d missed the calls.

“I will be honest, I haven’t had a look at it (the third Bledisloe game and aftermath) because I was at a mate’s bucks night last Saturday,” Cheika said.

“I certainly didn’t think that was going to happen. Bill had called me but I didn’t get his call, because I was out.

Ewen McKenzie announced his resignation after the Bledisloe Cup Test.

“He rang me afterwards. I didn’t stay out all night. I am an old man, remember that. So I found out about it then and then I watched on the sports news. Then I saw some of the highlights on replay, because I taped it.”

Asked if he’d spoken to McKenzie since, Cheika said it wasn’t the right time.

“I think the last thing he wants is to speak to anyone involved in rugby at the moment,” he said.

“I am sure he is going to bounce back and land on his feet. He is a good coach, he has proven that over many years and I genuinely hope that happens.”

ARGENTINA OVERTURES

Cheika might not have been available to coach the Wallabies if McKenzie had departed after the Spring Tour, and not before. Cheika admitted he’d held talks with the Argentinian Rugby Union about taking over as coach of the Pumas in 2016, and was set to make a decision in coming weeks.

NSW powerbrokers had been sweating bullets this year about Cheika’s links to South America, where they said he’d been on a “study tour” as recently as three weeks ago.

“I had spoken to them, I wouldn’t lie,” Cheika admitted.

“They are good people, very good people and are going to do very well going forward because they have excellent management. They are being run really well. (Argentina rugby icon) Gus Pichot and those guys are doing a really good job, and have really good personalities. They are nice lads.”

Ironically McKenzie is now reportedly in talks with the Pumas.

ISRAEL FOLAU

It’s not widely known but Cheika was instrumental in getting Folau into rugby in late 2012 when the Parramatta Eels deal fell through. The code convert became a huge success with his NSW coach’s backing, and was named John Eales medallist on Thursday night.

There is strong speculation Folau is being targeted with huge sums of money by Toulon for 2016 (as was Cheika), but the promotion of Cheika to the Wallabies job now represents the best chance Australia has of keeping him.

Israel Folau poses with the 2014 John Eales Medal.

“I will do my best to convince him. There is no doubt about it. But unfortunately (clubs like Toulon) are out there,” Cheika said.

“There are a few other guys out there who have a pool of cash. That’s tempting. And life experience as well. So it’s up to us to make sure that he is getting balance of really good coaching, enjoying his footy, reimbursed according to his talents. And if we put all that together I can’t see there is not an option to stay because it seems like he is really enjoying his footy.”

MICHAEL HOOPER

Cheika said he’d been impressed with the captaincy of Michael Hooper during a tough month of scrutiny and — contrary to speculation his role may be under review by the ARU — the 22-year-old would stay as skipper.

“I am quite happy with Michael as captain. I think he is doing a good job,” Cheika said.

“I think he has done an outstanding job under some real heat, over the last few weeks. For a young guy, easy going, I think he has stepped up and taken responsibility. He has been honest and true to his name, and I respect that in people.”

TRENT ROBINSON

Though a South Sydney supporter, Cheika struck up a strong bond with Roosters coach Trent Robinson as neighbours at Allianz Stadium, and even spoke to the tricolours during the finals.

Cheika said his Wallabies call-up meant cancelling a study tour of the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland As, and attending a sports performance conference in London.

“I was going with Trent Robinson (in London), so he is going anyway. But Trent is going then he is going to come over to Cardiff and be with us for a little bit and have a look at the Wallabies,” he said.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson will help the Wallabies in Cardiff.

COACHING STAFF

Cheika said he’d approached all four state coaches — Stephen Larkham, Richard Graham, Michael Foley and Tony McGahan — to join him on the Spring Tour. And though tight schedules meant none could accept, he still wants to involve them in the Wallabies setup, whether an assistants in coaching or selectors or both.

“If they all said yes I would have taken them all. I just think it was a really good opportunity for coaches … to say right let’s get stuck into each other at provincial level then when we come we truly collaborate,” he said.

“Having been a provincial coach the last couple of years now, I think collaboration has been a little bit piecemeal. I think at the national level they worried a bit much about rubbing guys up the wrong way, instead of saying we need you for this.

“Once we come back we will put our thinking caps on and go around and talk to all those coaches.”

ARU RELATIONSHIP

Cheika hosed down suggestions he may require a technical director to serve as a conduit between him and the ARU, with whom he openly admitted he has “battled” over the past two years.

“I don’t think I need a conduit between myself and the ARU. It’s not that hard … just talk to each other,” Cheika said.

“Look, I am part of it now, part of the ARU … I’m not the enemy. I am a pretty autonomous guy but I also understand where I sit in the company tree. I don’t think I am better than anyone. I don’t own anyone. I don’t own the organisation.

“If my director tells me this is what I want done, I either do it or I leave. And I want to respect that chain because if I want guys underneath me in the chain to respect me then I have to show the same example. So it’s not complicated.”

Originally published as Michael Cheika reveals he was in discussions to coach Argentina before taking Wallabies job