Michael Cheika, born on March 4, 1967, is an Australian rugby coach and former player. He is known for his successful coaching stints with various teams, including the Waratahs, Leinster, and the Australian national team, the Wallabies.
Cheika began his rugby career playing for Australia at the under-21 level. He then went on to play over 300 games for Randwick, a prestigious rugby club in Australia, where he achieved considerable success, winning the Shute Shield seven times.
In 1989, Cheika made a move to Europe and played for several clubs, including Castres Olympique and Stade Français. He later joined Italian side Rugby Livorno, and his performance earned him a spot in an Italian Selection XV that faced the All Blacks in 1993.
Transitioning into coaching, Cheika took charge of the Waratahs in 2012. Under his leadership, the team achieved significant milestones, including winning their first-ever Super Rugby title in 2014. The Waratahs defeated the Crusaders, the most successful club in Super Rugby history, with a score of 33-32.
After his successful stint with the Waratahs, Cheika took on the role of coaching the Irish provincial side Leinster. During his five-year tenure, he guided the team to victory in the Heineken Cup in 2009, marking the club's first-ever triumph in the competition.
Cheika's exceptional coaching abilities led to his appointment as the head coach of the Australian national team, the Wallabies, in October 2014. In the Rugby World Cup held in 2015 in England, he showcased his skills and led the Wallabies to the runner-up position, narrowly missing out on the title. Cheika's impressive performance earned him the World Rugby Coach of the Year Award that same year.
Under Cheika's guidance, the Wallabies also achieved success in the Rugby Championship. In 2016, they finished in second place, securing victories against South Africa and Argentina. Cheika's coaching prowess and strategic approach greatly contributed to these achievements.
The 2019 Rugby World Cup proved to be a mixed campaign for the Wallabies. While they won three out of their four pool matches, a close loss to Wales resulted in a quarter-final fixture against England. Unfortunately, the Wallabies suffered a defeat by 40-16, ending their World Cup journey. Shortly after, Cheika announced his resignation as head coach, which would take effect at the end of the year.
Following his departure from Australian Rugby, Cheika ventured into the National Rugby League (NRL) and joined the Sydney Roosters Rugby League Team as an assistant coach. His experience and expertise added value to the team's coaching staff.
In September 2020, the Argentine Rugby Union announced Cheika's inclusion in their coaching team for the 2020 Tri-Nations Series. He assumed an advisory role and reunited with former Wallabies coaching staff member Mario Ledesma.
In May 2021, Cheika embraced a new role as the Director of Rugby for the Top League side REC Green Rockets. This appointment showcased his continued involvement in the sport at a high level.
In March of the following year, Cheika was appointed as Argentina's Head Coach. This opportunity allowed him to guide and shape the national team's performance in international competitions, further demonstrating his coaching prowess.
Michael Cheika's remarkable career as both a player and coach has left an indelible mark on Australian and international rugby. His achievements, including Super Rugby titles, a Heineken Cup victory, and notable performances at the Rugby World Cup, have solidified his reputation as one of the sport's respected figures.
KG(15/07/2023)
Career
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Leicester Tigers Head Coach |
2024 - present |
 |
Australia Number 30 |
2014 - 2019 |
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Green Rockets Tokatsu Coach |
2021 - 2023 |
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Argentina Head Coach |
2022 - 2024 |
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Argentina XV Head Coach |
2023 - 2024 |
