Michael Cheika lands major new role in stunning rugby union return

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Cheika is closing in on a two-year deal, with the agreement currently being finalised and an announcement expected later this week.

The 59-year-old is currently working as an assistant coach with NRL side Sydney Roosters but now looks set to make another switch back to the 15-man code.

Cheika's most recent rugby union role came with Leicester Tigers during the 2024/25 season. He spent just one campaign at Welford Road but guided the Premiership giants to the final before returning to Australia.

The Waratahs have been searching for a new head coach since parting company with Dan McKellar following two seasons without reaching the Super Rugby Pacific finals.

According to the report, senior Waratahs players have lobbied for Cheika's return, while Rugby Australia believe his appointment could help reinvigorate a side whose last finals appearance came in 2022.

Cheika has reportedly been in discussions with Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh for the last two weeks.

There are still commitments to work around, with Cheika keen to see out the NRL season with the Roosters while he is also due to coach Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup.

Cheika previously coached the Waratahs between 2013 and 2015, famously guiding them to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2014 after a dramatic 33-32 victory against the Crusaders.

That success helped propel him into the Wallabies job, where he later guided Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

Now, 12 years after that historic Waratahs triumph, Cheika appears to be heading back.