Former NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is back in his old job for 2027 after stints overseas and in rugby league.
The 59-year-old remains NSW’s only Super Rugby title winning coach (2014) and replaces Dan McKellar.
He returns to the code after serving as assistant coach for NRL team Sydney Roosters.
Cheika is expected to coach Lebanon to this year’s rugby league World Cup in Australia, PNG and New Zealand, starting mid-October before joining the Waratahs in November.
Signed for one season, the Waratahs says he has an option for a second season; also returning in 2027 are Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps.
“The NSW Waratahs have always occupied a special place for me – it’s my home state and I feel ready to return … ahead of an important year for the Waratahs and Australian Rugby in the lead up to the home Rugby World Cup,” a statement from the former NSW coach read.
“Being involved in the NSW squad that lifted the Super Rugby trophy in 2014 is something I will never forget.
“This is a new time, a different time. I am looking forward to being able to enjoy those same kinds of feelings and more with players, their families and all the fans in this new adventure,” Cheika says.
“Before all of that I want to give my all to my rugby league club, the Sydney Roosters, to help achieve our goal for this season, to pay them back for the trust and belief they have always shown in me.”
NSW WELCOMES FORMER COACH BACK
“Michael is a proven leader with an exceptional record across many years building and preparing teams to compete on rugby’s biggest stages,” Waratahs Director of Performance B.J. Maher said.
“His coaching achievements speak for themselves but equally important is his sincere passion for our club and what it represents.
“We believe Michael is the right person to now lead the next chapter for the Waratahs. We are delighted to welcome him home.”
BACKGROUND
A former Randwick club stalwart, Cheika also coached the Wallabies for 68 games from 2014-19 as Australia won its first Rugby Championship title (2015), reached the Rugby World Cup Final in England later that year and was named World Rugby Coach of the Year.
He stepped down after the unsuccessful World Cup effort in 2019 but went on to coach Argentina in 2022 and guided Los Pumas to a historic first win in New Zealand over the All Blacks.
After Los Pumas made the semi-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he joined English club Leicester and took them to a premiership final in 2025 as well as Irish club Leinster to the 2009 Heineken Cup title and second place in the European Challenge Cup in 2011 with French club Stade Francais.
