Wallabies Legend Burke Calls For The Head Of Coach Cheika

12th December 2018

Pressure on Australia national rugby team coach intensifies less than a year before World Cup after a review was announced into his and his staff's positions

Australia's Coach Michael Cheika during Quilter International between England and Australia at Twickenham stadium , London, England on 24 Nov 2018. PHOTO/AFP
Australia's Coach Michael Cheika during Quilter International between England and Australia at Twickenham stadium , London, England on 24 Nov 2018. PHOTO/AFP
SUMMARY
  • Burke said the Wallabies needed change "from the top down", calling for Cheika and his assistants, Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey, to go
  • Despite club success at Leinster and the NSW Waratahs, Cheika has struggled to stamp his authority on a Wallabies side that is replete with world-class players, but has consistently underperformed of late
  • However, three defeats out of four on their northern hemisphere tour renewed the pressure on Cheika, who took the Wallabies to the last World Cup final in 2015

SYDNEY, Australia- Wallabies legend Matt Burke has urged Rugby Australia to axe Michael Cheika along with his coaching staff after a review was announced into their positions less than a year before the World Cup.

The two-time world champions have won just four Tests this year and slipped to sixth in the world rankings, heaping pressure on Cheika as a sense of turmoil engulfs the national side.

Burke said the Wallabies needed change "from the top down", calling for Cheika and his assistants, Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey, to go.

"Michael Cheika after that (season) has to go" Burke, who played 81 Tests for Australia and was a World Cup winner in 1999, told Big Sports Breakfast radio.

"There has to be a change. I don't think just getting rid of the assistant coaches will be enough," he added.

Despite club success at Leinster and the NSW Waratahs, Cheika has struggled to stamp his authority on a Wallabies side that is replete with world-class players, but has consistently underperformed of late.

"I think they have to change it from the top down. Getting rid of the assistant coaches won't be enough because it's still the same voice," said Burke.

"At the moment it's untenable when you're looking at the situation from the coaches and then the high performance managers and the rest of it."

Rugby Australia has promised a decision on Cheika and his coaching staff "ahead of Christmas".

Cheika's contract is due to run out in a year and he had previously received the backing of Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle to take the Wallabies to the World Cup in Japan.

However, three defeats out of four on their northern hemisphere tour renewed the pressure on Cheika, who took the Wallabies to the last World Cup final in 2015.