Former Wallabies coach Cheika returns to Waratahs for 2027

Michael Cheika is set to return to the helm of the New South Wales Waratahs, with the club announcing his appointment for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. Cheika, who previously coached the Australian national team (Wallabies) and Argentina, has a storied history with the Sydney-based franchise, having guided them to their sole Super Rugby title in 2014.

His tenure with the Waratahs was followed by a successful stint with the Wallabies, whom he led to the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Cheika, now 59, expressed his enthusiasm for returning, stating, "The NSW Waratahs have always occupied a special place for me." He recalled the "passion and energy of our supporters" during the 2014 championship season and looks forward to recreating similar feelings in a "new time, a different time."

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The NSW Waratahs have always occupied a special place for me. Being involved in the NSW squad that lifted the Super Rugby trophy in 2014 is something I will never forget, especially the passion and energy of our supporters. This is a new time, a different time, and I am looking forward to being able to enjoy those same kinds of feelings.

Cheika is renowned for his ability to revitalize struggling teams and achieve significant success within a few seasons. He holds the distinction of being the first coach to win both the European Cup (with Leinster in 2009) and Super Rugby titles. The Waratahs, historically Australia's best-resourced provincial team, have endured a difficult decade marked by declining on-field performance and waning support, making Cheika's transformational skills highly anticipated.

His predecessor, Dan McKellar, departed in June after the Waratahs finished eighth out of eleven teams in the most recent Super Rugby Pacific season. Cheika has signed a one-year contract with an option for 2028. He will be reunited with key playmakers Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps, who were instrumental in the 2014 title win and have recently rejoined the team. Waratahs high-performance director Barrie-Jon Mather praised Cheika as a "proven leader with an exceptional record" and highlighted his "sincere passion for our club."

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Michael is a proven leader with an exceptional record across many years building and preparing teams to compete on rugby's biggest stages. His coaching achievements speak for themselves but equally important is his sincere passion for our club and what it represents.