Coaching candidate drops Wallaby call after leak

The Sydney Morning Herald‘s Georgina Robinson has reported that Rugby Australia have called off a scheduled phone call with former Springboks coach Jake White at the request of the latter.

It is understood that Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle complied with White’s request after word of the call was leaked to the media.

White has reportedly offered his services to the struggling Wallabies side, as well as throwing his name into the ring for Japan head coach Jamie Joseph’s role after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby Australia’s board and management are set to meet in early December to discuss incumbent head coach Michael Cheika’s future with the national side after a horror four-win season.

Cheika’s assistant coaches Stephen Larkham, Nathan Grey and Simon Raiwalui are also said to be under pressure.

Last month former Wallaby Michael Lynagh told RugbyPass he believes Michael Cheika is bulletproof heading into next year’s World Cup in Japan even if the Wallabies continue their poor record.

Lynagh said: “He will stay because a) there is nobody else and b)there is a financial issue that the ARU wouldn’t be able to meet. So, on both those fronts the logistics of trying to get rid of Michael are not right. You have to ask is Michael the right guy to take the team forward and for me that is the case.

Australian coach Scott Johnson has also been tipped as a potential replacement for Cheika. The 56-year-old last held a head coaching role in 2014 when he was the interim head coach of Scotland.

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