Back in blue: Cheika set to return as Waratahs coach

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is poised for a return as NSW Waratahs coach this week, 12 years after leading the team to their first Super Rugby title.

According to informed sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, Cheika’s likely two-year deal is being finalised. The Waratahs hope to announce their new coach later this week.

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika coached the Waratahs last Super Rugby title in 2014.Getty ImagesCheika is working as an assistant coach in the NRL with the Roosters but will return to the 15-man code. In his last role in rugby, he took Leicester to the 2025 Premiership Rugby final in his one season at the English club before returning to Australia.

The Waratahs have been without a coach since Dan McKellar parted ways with the club after failing to make Super Rugby finals in two seasons.

Cheika’s appointment comes after lobbying from senior Waratahs players and the realisation from Rugby Australia that his appointment could help recharge the team whose last finals appearance was 2022.

The former Wallabies coach has been in conversations with Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh over the last two weeks. Cheika is set to take charge of Lebanon in the Rugby League World Cup and is keen to see out the NRL season with the Roosters.

Michael Cheika and Michael Hooper celebrate victory over the Crusaders in the Super Rugby decider in 2014. Getty ImagesHe said last month he’d not heard from the Waratahs, or their owners, Rugby Australia, about the NSW vacancy, but after lobbying from senior Waratahs players, RA officials have come to appreciate the massive impact of a Cheika return to the Waratahs and are now exploring how it could work, according to informed sources.

Newly signed Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps spoke on Stan Sport’s Inside Line podcast last week about potentially reuniting with his former coach.

“He’s [Cheika] obviously interested, but it’s just there are a lot of things to happen before that [deal gets signed],” Phipps said.

“He’s also got a lot of commitments he’s already committed to as well. But he could put a real Avengers squad together there in his coaching staff if he wanted to.

“He’s got a lot of a lot of good ideas, but we’ll definitely have to see because it’s hard, right? Like they [the Waratahs] they need to announce a coach here ASAP.”

The Waratahs recently announced their coaching panel for the Super AUS competition, headed by Lachie McCaffrey. He will be assisted by Wallabies halfback Jake Gordon and recently retired playmaker Jack Debreczeni.

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