Australia’s Michael Cheika becomes latest international heavyweight to rule himself out of England job
England's search for a new head coach was dealt a further blow yesterday after Australia’s Michael Cheika became the latest international heavyweight to rule himself out of contention.
Cheika had emerged as one of the leading candidates to succeed Stuart Lancaster, having revived Australia’s fortunes since taking over from Ewen McKenzie in October 2014 and guiding the Wallabies to last month’s World Cup final.
Rugby Football Union chief Ian Ritchie last week insisted that the governing body was prepared to break the bank to secure a coach with proven international experience to replace Lancaster, although Cheika has declared himself out of the running.
“No one from England has contacted me and they know that they can’t contact me because I’m committed to Australia and that’s where I want to be coaching,” said Cheika.
“I’m an Australian coaching Australia. It’s the dream. There is nothing that would change my mind. I never thought I’d be coaching Australia. I’m enjoying it and I want to do the best I can in this role for as long as I can.
“You want to make sure that you give everything when you have the opportunity. When the chance comes to coach Australia, you don’t say no to that. I’ve enjoyed the first year of doing it, it’s been fantastic.”
Fellow Australian and newly-appointed Stormers coach Eddie Jones, who was in charge of the Wallabies when England won the 2003 World Cup final, is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Lancaster despite initially playing down links.
World Cup-winning former South Africa coach Jake White is the only candidate of international repute to reveal his interest, although only if he is the RFU’s No1 choice, having missed out on the England job on two previous occasions.
New Zealand’s Steve Hansen, fellow countrymen Graham Henry and Wayne Smith, together with Wales coach Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt of Ireland have all distanced themselves from the role.