Michael cheika
'Spectacular' Cheika to help Argentina in Rugby Championship
Los Pumas said Cheika, who quit after the Wallabies' humiliating World Cup quarterfinal loss to England last year, would work as an external adviser during the...
Dave Rennie, who turns 56 on Friday, was named on Wednesday to replace Michael Cheika, who quit after the Wallabies crashed out of the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Australia, under Michael Cheika, crashed out of the tournament in Japan at the quarter-final stage to England, sparking stinging criticism of not only his tactics, but his Rugby Australia bosses by domestic media.
Dan McKellar guided the Brumbies into the Super Rugby playoffs last season and Australian media had touted him as the leading local candidate to take over from Michael Cheika.
Michae Cheika has faced criticism in Australia since Saturday's 40-16 loss to England, which prompted him to announce his departure from the role.
The 52-year-old Cheika called time on his five-year tenure Sunday after Australia's dismal World Cup quarter-final exit to England, stung by sharp criticism of his tactics.
"I knew from the final whistle but I just wanted to give it a bit of time to settle down, talk to my people and then make it clear," Cheika said in video footage released by Rugby Australia.
The Wallabies will be looking to get back to winning ways against the South Americans in Oita after their agonising 29-25 loss to Wales in Tokyo last weekend.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen refused to be drawn on the controversy that has blighted the tournament, with World Rugby issuing a directive about the performance of the officials in the opening weekend of games.
Dane Haylett-Petty starts in place of Kurtley Beale at fullback and there was no room in the matchday 23 for Christian Lealiifano, Australia's starting fly-half in the 39-21 win over Fiji.
The deeply Christian player was sacked by Rugby Australia in May for posting on Instagram that 'hell awaits' gay people and others he considers sinners.
Cheika opted for just two half-backs, Will Genia and Nic White, in his 31-man World Cup squad, meaning Brumbies No.9 Joe Powell and the Waratahs' Nick Phipps miss out.
His team stunned the world champions 47-26 in Perth last weekend and head to Auckland needing another win to claim the trans-Tasman silverware for the first time since 2002.
New Zealand gave away three needless penalties in the first half and drifted into too many offside positions before lock Scott Barrett's sending off put the final nail in their coffin in the 47-26 loss.
Steve Hansen made the remarks after being questioned about Australian great Mark Ella's 2016 claim that 'Mickey Mouse could coach the All Blacks to victory' given the quality of New Zealand's players.
His form for the Stormers attracted the attention of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and he now gets a chance to become one of three World Cup scrum-halves.
The Melbourne Rebels backrower was set to become Wallaby 926 when he ran out in the number eight jersey.
While neither is officially part of Australia's touring squad for the Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks on 20 July, Cheika said he was looking forward to having them in Johannesburg.
Scott Johnson was recruited to the newly-created role from a similar position with Scotland after mounting criticism of under-siege coach Michael Cheika.