The Australian Rugby Union on Wednesday confirmed that Michael Cheika is the new Wallaby coach, ahead of a tough End Of Year European tour.
He has been appointed on a three-year contract, coming in the wake of the controversial departure of Ewen McKenzie as a result of the fall-out over the Kurtley Beale saga.
ARU Chief Executive Officer Bill Pulver said Michael Cheika was the outstanding candidate for the role.
“Central to our decision was selecting a world-class coach who can lead us to victory in next year’s World Cup and a person who represents the game’s core values,” Pulver said.
rugby365
“Michael fulfils these requirements. He is also extremely passionate and has a strong track record of motivating teams to win through plenty of hard work.
“I’m confident he will embrace this new challenge and on behalf of the Australian Rugby community, I would like to congratulate him on his appointment,” Pulver added.
He described the 47-year-old as “the only coach in history to coach both a European Cup winning side and a Super Rugby winning side”.
Cheika’s track record includes winning the European Cup with Irish side Leinster in 2009 and the Waratahs’ maiden Super Rugby title earlier this year.
“I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but I am up for the challenge,” said Cheika, appointed following last Saturday’s surprise resignation of Ewen McKenzie.
“I’ll be doing my best, that’s the only thing I can guarantee,” he added.
“I feel the key to any future success will be to ensure we have a strong identity and not letting anything get in the way of our preparation to succeed on the world stage.”
The Wallabies are due to fly to Europe on Friday for a five-match tour, which includes Tests against Wales, France, Ireland and England.
Cheika is still contracted to the Waratahs until the end of 2015 and will retain that position while coaching the Wallabies.
McKenzie dropped his bombshell shortly after New Zealand narrowly beat Australia 29-28 in the final Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane, throwing the European tour into chaos.
Cheika said he was humbled by his appointment.
“I never imagined I would be in the position of coaching our national team and feel extremely honoured to have this opportunity.
“My mission will be to do the best possible job I can and to motivate the people around me to ensure they are able to represent Australia to the best of their ability.
“I feel the key to any future success will be to ensure we have a strong identity and not letting anything get in the way of our preparation to succeed on the world stage.”
Cheika comes to the role with extensive experience in Rugby as a player and coach domestically and internationally and led the NSW Waratahs to their first-ever Super Rugby title earlier this year.
The 47-year-old Cheika played 286 senior games for Sydney Premiership club Randwick; represented Australia Under-21 and played in France and Italy.
His coaching career includes leading the Waratahs to the franchise’s first-ever Super Rugby title earlier this year; and leading Irish provincial side Leinster for five years and winning the province’s first ever European Cup in 2009.
He has also coached in Italy (Petrarca in Padova), France (Stade Français in Paris) and at his home club Randwick.
Cheika grew up in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs and is the son of Lebanese migrants.
He is married with four young children and speaks French, Italian and Arabic.