South Sydney Rabbitohs’ coach shortlist revealed: Michael Cheika wants to replace Jason Demetriou

Former Wallabies Michael Cheika wants to coach South Sydney as several contenders emerge to replace Jason Demetriou. See the shortlist of candidates for the vacant Rabbitohs job.

Michael Cheika. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Former Wallabies Michael Cheika wants to coach South Sydney.

Cheika has been included on a shortlist of candidates for the vacant Rabbitohs job which includes Michael Maguire, Justin Holbrook, Steve McNamara, Adrian Lam and Shaun Wane.

While veteran Wayne Bennett is clear favourite to take over at Maroubra from next season, Cheika has indicated a passionate desire to coach NRL and Souths.

Cheika, 57, was an assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters for the 2020 season and also coached Lebanon in the 2022 rugby league World Cup.

Lebanon finished second in their World Cup group behind New Zealand and qualified for the quarterfinals, eventually losing 48-4 to Australia.

His rugby league World Cup record stands at two wins and two losses.

While he carved out a remarkable career in rugby union, Cheika played rugby league in the juniors and at Marcellin Catholic College, Randwick.

Sources close to Cheika confirmed the former Randwick rugby union hard man is seeking a crack at coaching South Sydney.

Cheika is living in France but continues to help with recruitment at Japanese rugby union club, Green Rockets.

“He would be interested in the Souths job, yes, he’s a career coach,” the source said. “Michael has done everything in rugby union and he has an ambition to try something different.

“He loves his rugby league and is an avid follower of rugby league.

“Michael is well connected to Sydney’s eastern suburbs. He played for Randwick and went to Marcellin College and is entrenched in the eastern suburbs.

“He is strong-willed and has very good people’s skills. He is well credentialed and a top-end coach who knows his rugby league inside out.

“Michael definitely wants to coach the Lebanon team again and there isn’t a player in that side that wouldn’t rave about him.

“Currently, Michael is helping clubs with recruitment and providing advice.”

Cheika has multiple friends and contacts in Sydney he still regularly talks with about footy.

This masthead reached out to Cheika in France but he did not answer phone calls.

Wayne Bennett is the leading candidate. Picture: NRL Photos

Cheika often considered switching back to league.

He previously coached the NSW Waratahs and Australia, leading the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final.

After being named World Rugby coach of the year in ‘15, Cheika became director of rugby at the Green Rockets.

A fierce back-rower, Cheika played Shute Shield for Randwick and represented the Australian under 21s.

He was also director of coaching at Stade Francais in Paris and is a former head coach of Leinster.

Wane and Lam, under contract for next season with Leigh in England, would appear to be outsiders. All the contenders have either coached in England or are British-born.

Originally published as South Sydney Rabbitohs’ coach shortlist revealed: Michael Cheika wants to replace Jason Demetriou