Cheika living the dream as Wallabies coach
Michael Cheika says he’s living the dream as Australia coach and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Cheika, who took the side to their first World Cup final in 12 years last month, is in England to coach the Barbarians this week against Gloucester and Argentina.
The former Waratahs coach led the Wallabies to 10 Test wins out of 12 matches this season, including that World Cup final run.
He responded emphatically to reports that he has been sounded out by the RFU for the England job vacated by Stuart Lancaster.
“No one from England has contacted me and they know that they can’t contact me because I’m committed to Australia and that’s where I want to be coaching,” he told reporters in London.
“I’ve watched this with a bit of amusement wondering why no one ever comes to the source and asks.
"That’s the way it is."
“I’m an Australian coaching Australia, it’s like the dream.”
“There’s nothing that would make me change my mind.
Cheika, who had a whirwind entry into the national role, said he wanted to make the most of his time in charge.
“I never thought I’d be coaching Australia," he said.
“I’m enjoying it and I want to do the best I can in this role for as long as I can.”
Cheika said his focus for now was entirely on the Wallabies job and he had not thought about the possibility of plans after the Wallabies job.
“You want to make sure you give everything you’ve got when you’ve got the opportunity,” he said.
“I’ve always taken my coaching career … I wouldn’t even call it career really … I’ve just let it go where it’s taken me, whether it’s Australia in my club team or Ireland or France or back in Australia now.
“It’s just led me in that direction and I’ve seen the opportunities come and decided that’s something that would be really good for me.
“Obviously when the chance came to coach Australia you don’t say no to that and I’ve enjoyed the first year of doing it.
“It’s been fantastic.”
Cheika is currently signed with the ARU until the end of the 2017 season, after signing a three-year deal in November last year.
