Michael Cheika’s replacement as Wallabies coach is not guaranteed to be an Australian
FOREIGNERS will be considered to replace Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
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FOREIGNERS will be considered to replace Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said the criteria for the next coach was already being discussed, and while another Australian is preferred, they want the best possible candidate.
“I think you’d be crazy not to think about all of the coaching talents out there,” Castle said.
“There’s no doubt that an Australian coach is what we’d prefer to have, I think that’s everyone’s preference from a cultural fit.
“If they’re locally based, does it matter if they’re working internationally? I think all of those things are the mix we’ll throw into the discussion.”
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Cheika has strongly nominated his assistant Stephen Larkham to take over under a succession plan.
“When you’ve had coach that’s coached at that many levels for such a long period of time as Michael has, you’d be crazy not to think about his opinion,” Castle said.
“He’s in the coaching environment, working every day with those people, I would certainly seek his view on what he thinks.
“But ultimately, it certainly won’t be Michael’s decision on who the next coach is.”
Castle also revealed that Karmichael Hunt’s future in Australian rugby hinges on information provided by police relating to his drug arrest late last year.
“We’re working with police at the moment to try to get access to some of the footage and information they’ve got, once we’ve received that we can go to the next stage of the code of conduct hearing,” she said.
Castle also weighed into the extraordinary development that New Zealand Rugby has formed an alliance with English club Harlequins as part of a player-sharing agreement so the All Blacks do not lose high profile players to cashed up overseas sides.
“It’s interesting the way they’ve decided to go about it, for them, and some of the challenges Rugby Australia faces, is understanding how you can sensibly think about that movement of athletes between the northern and southern hemispheres,’ she said.
“I know we’ve got some Super clubs talking to Japan clubs about forming those relationships to make sure there might be a consistent flow of athletes back and forward into the Japanese competition.
“It does seem to make sense, instead of sitting separately and having disagreement about player movements, maybe you should come together to see how you can manage it sensibly for players throughout their career.”
Meanwhile, players featuring in Australia’s new Super W women’s rugby tournament starting next week will not be paid.
But it’s hoped that in coming years the competition will generate enough interest and revenue that match payments can be given.
For this year, the players will have travel and food covered, but RUPA is trying to negotiate reimbursement from Rugby Australia for the athletes taking time off work and getting to and from training.