Michael Cheika is poised to return as NSW Waratahs head coach, 12 years after leading the club to the only Super Rugby title in its history.
Australian reports say a two-year deal is close to being finalised, with an announcement expected this week. The Waratahs have not confirmed the appointment.
Cheika, 59, would replace Dan McKellar, who stepped down on 29 June with immediate effect after two seasons in charge.
The Waratahs finished outside the Super Rugby Pacific play-off places in both of McKellar’s seasons, winning 11 matches across the two campaigns.
“Dan has made a massive impact on the club since joining, both on and off the field,” Waratahs chair Tony Crawford said at the time of the departure.
Director of high performance BJ Mather said McKellar had achieved landmark results and reignited support for the club.
Stephen Hoiles, Chris Latham and John Manenti were among the coaches linked with the vacancy in the weeks that followed.
Cheika coached the Waratahs from 2013 to 2015, winning the title in 2014 with a final victory over the Crusaders. He was appointed Wallabies coach later the same year.
Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps, the half-backs from that championship side, have both been reported as returning to the club.
He remains the only coach to have won the leading club competition in both hemispheres, having taken Leinster to the Heineken Cup in 2009. He also won the Celtic League with Leinster in 2007-08 and coached Stade Français from 2010 to 2012.
Cheika led Australia to the 2015 World Cup final and won the Rugby Championship the same year. He was named World Rugby coach of the year in 2015.
He coached Argentina from 2022 to 2023 and took Leicester Tigers to the Premiership final in 2025 before returning to Australia.
The move would put a rugby league coaching career on hold. Cheika has been an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Sydney Roosters since 2020 and coached Lebanon at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
He is due to lead Lebanon again at the next tournament. Reports say he intends to see out the NRL season with the Roosters and coach at the World Cup before taking up the Waratahs role.
Rugby Australia now oversees the Waratahs’ high performance programme. Chief executive Phil Waugh has said the governing body wants world-class coaches across the system.
Cheika began coaching at Padova in Italy in 1999 and took charge of Randwick, his former club, from 2001 to 2005.
The Waratahs have won one title in 30 seasons of Super Rugby. Cheika coached it.
Departure detail via the official Rugby Australia statement. Appointment reported by Australian media including the Sydney Morning Herald.
