Report: Michael Cheika's fate decided after board meeting

According to reports, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will keep his job despite Australian rugby suffering through their worst international season in 60 years.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Thursday night that Cheika will remain with the team, but former Wallabies assistant Scott Johnson will join the setup in a role above Cheika before next year’s Rugby World Cup.

The Telegraph said an announcement would be made confirming the news next week.

Johnson was an assistant with the Wallabies for their 2007 World Cup campaign, but has not coached since 2014 when he was in charge of Scotland on an interim basis and is reportedly more interested in an advisory role.

Cheika met with the Rugby Australia board on Monday and chairman Cameron Clyne said a decision would come before Christmas in a brief press conference.

“We obviously received a presentation from Michael Cheika and we’re going through a process, so I’m not really in a position to elaborate,” Clyne said.

Cheika has not made any comments since returning home.

The 51-year-old has been in charge of the Australian national side since 2014, taking over for Ewen McKenzie just one year out from the Rugby World Cup, where he eventually led the side to the final.

Cheika began his coaching career in Italy before returning home to Australia to coach his former club Randwick. He oversaw Leinster in Ireland and Stade Francais in France between 2005 and 2012 before again returning to Australia, winning a Super Rugby title with the New South Wales Waratahs in 2014.

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