RA board to consider fate of Cheika

SYDNEY: Michael Cheika’s fate as Wallabies coach will be determined at a highstakes Rugby Australia board meeting in Sydney today.

But any announcement, or changes to Cheika’s wider coaching panel, are unlikely to be announced until Wednesday at the earliest as the governing body digests the Wallabies’ worst season in 60 years.

As well as Cheika being asked to explain Australia’s nine defeats from 13 tests in 2018, the board will consider reviews from highperformance boss Ben Whitaker and RA chief executive Raelene Castle.

Castle and chairman Cameron Clyne backed Cheika before last month’s spring tour but further disappointing losses to Wales and a record sixth straight defeat to Eddie Jones’ England have left disillusioned fans demanding change.

It is expected Cheika will be spared the sack, despite his winning strike rate with the national team falling below 50%, the worst of any coach in the 22year professional era.

The names of Jones, former Wallabies attack coach Scott Johnson, now working with Scotland, and exSuper Rugbywinning mentor David Nucifora have all been bandied about as desirable Australian replacements.

But it is more likely that one or more of Cheika’s assistants — attack coach Stephen Larkham, defence coach Nathan Grey, forwards coach Simon Raiwalui or skills coach Mick Byrne — will be sacrificed.

Cheika’s effort to guide the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final against all odds also has test greats David Campese and Stirling Mortlock believing he remains the man to lead Australia to next year’s World Cup in Japan. — AAP