Michael Cheika, Stephen Larkham could form dream team to coach Wallabies following Ewen McKenzie’s resignation

MICHAEL Cheika and Stephen Larkham are being considered as a coaching dream team to rescue Australian rugby and lead the Wallabies to the World Cup.

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A WALLABIES coaching dream team of Michael Cheika and Stephen Larkham is being considered by the ARU powerbrokers following Ewen McKenzie’s shock resignation.

But the respective Super Rugby franchises have cast doubt over a quick switch by one or both, with NSW bosses to insist Cheika coaches the Waratahs next year, and the Brumbies saying it is “unfeasible” Larkham juggles two jobs.

Cheika yesterday emerged as the leading candidate to take over the Wallabies ahead of Jake White, although it can be revealed he doesn’t have an out clause in his contract and would need Waratah approval to take the job.

“We are not going to belligerent about it but we are not going to trash the Waratahs either,” Waratahs chairman Roger Davis said.

Michael Cheika is frontrunner to coach the Walabies.

But the ARU rugby committee, who had a phone hook-up on Sunday night, is believed to be looking hard at an All Black-style “coaching team” to lead the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup and beyond.

Cheika and Larkham were nominated by former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer last week and though promoting both throws up all sorts of problems for Australia’s top two clubs, it may also provide political balance in an already heated environment.

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones endorsed the move.

“Cheika is a very strong figure to command the dressing room because there is obviously a divide,” Jones said.

“They need the best people in there and that means Steve Larkham along side him.

“If Jake was still coaching at the Brumbies (2012-13) it would be different but since he’s left Australian rugby it’s very difficult to bring him back.”

Regardless of whether Larkham can take on a backs coach role, Cheika was a universal pick yesterday among ex-Wallaby players and coaches.

“Ewen is a great mate, and I am very, very sad to see what’s happened,” Simon Poidevin said.

“Cheik has every attribute that should be there as a coach of the Wallabies. He plays a fantastic style of game that brought the crowds back in NSW.”

The Wallabies require a new coach by Friday, when they leave for the Spring Tour, but the Waratahs will only sign off if Cheika can help the team defend their Super Rugby title first.

“We would view an approach from the ARU favourably but would want to be assured of appropriate transition arrangements. The chances of us getting a replacement coach for next year are very, very difficult at this time. So there goes our season and we have sponsor responsibilities,” Davis said.

Stephen Larkham could join Michael Cheika in a Wallabies coaching dream team.

The move does have precedent, with Robbie Deans coaching the Crusaders in 2008 before taking over as Wallabies coach. The difference is Cheika would only have four Tests after the Super Rugby season before the World Cup.

“I have some sympathy for the ARU,” Davis said.

“They have to find a coach in seven days and I have a little longer, but the problem is still the same.

“2016 is a different story but 2015 we would be struggling. It is a quiet year next year so one would hope we can work out something that is mutually acceptable.”

Cheika’s elevation to the Wallabies top job could potentially save Kurtley Beale from being axed by the ARU if he gets an adverse finding in his Code of Conduct hearing on Friday.

Brumbies CEO Doug Edwards said Larkham was interested to help out the Wallabies if possible but not at the expense of the Brumbies.

“We have had no discussions at all with anyone at the ARU. I spoke to Bernie last week and he said “if I could help out I would but I am 100 per cent committed to staying here at the Brumbies” and that’s what he signed on for,” Edwards said.

“I do think it is unfeasible (to do both jobs). Just the work he does and the hours he puts into the Brumbies is amazing. He spends a lot of time not just with the Brumbies, but our academy. It’d be pretty hard to do both. I would be extremely surprised if that happened.”

Originally published as Michael Cheika, Stephen Larkham could form dream team to coach Wallabies following Ewen McKenzie’s resignation