Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika ‘spotted meeting with rugby powerbrokers’ as speculation heats up over potential new role

• Michael Cheika is set to leave his role at Leicester Tigers after this season 
• And the Australian could make a move back to coach one of his former sides 

By ED CARRUTHERS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Michael Cheika’s tenure as Leicester Tigers boss will come to an end after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season and the Australian is scoping out new opportunities within rugby.

One potential move could take him back to lead the Wallabies, with recent reports claiming that he is a contender to succeed current Australia boss Joe Schmidt this autumn.

Schmidt is set to depart his role with the side later this year following the Rugby Championship. His departure will come as a big blow for Rugby Australia, following the Wallabies’ impressive performances during their tour to the northern hemisphere in 2024.

But Rugby Australia appears to be eyeing up multiple new candidates to take the reigns off the former Ireland and Leinster boss, with the Sydney Morning Herald claiming Cheika was spotted having a coffee with Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh in North Sydney on Tuesday.

Cheika is understood to be taking a break back Down Under during the Six Nations with the Premiership season currently on hold until March 21.

Waugh has previously stated that Rugby Australia has an existing shortlist of options as the side looks to build ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Tigers boss Michael Cheika was reportedly spotted having a coffee with Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh

Speculation is mounting that Cheika could be set to take over from Joe Schmidt as the Wallabies new head coach

Waugh (pictured) and Rugby Australia are currently scoping out potential replacements for Schmidt, with even Ronan O’Gara throwing his name into consideration

Other names who have been touted to take on the role include Queensland’s Les Kiss and the Brumbies Stephen Larkham.

The Sydney Morning Herald also adds that the news of Schmidt’s departure has prompted ‘inbound interest from quality candidates around the world.’

Ronan O’Gara is one who has expressed an interest in the position, according to the outlet.

Cheika, who played for Australia as a No 8 at age-grade level, has enjoyed an extensive coaching career, starting his journey with Petrarca Padova back in 1999, before going on to coach Leinster, Stade Francais and the Waratahs.

He would be appointed the Wallabies boss in 2014 overseeing 68 Tests before parting company with the side in 2019, ending his tenure with a 50 per cent win percentage.

After leaving his role, he would go on to coach Argentina but stated that he would one day like to return to oversee proceedings in Australia.

‘I think that in a different set of circumstances, things would be different,’ he said. 

For Cheika, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. He will leave his role with Leicester in May and that will give him plenty of time to study things going on at the Wallabies under Schmidt during this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour. 

Schmidt’s final game with Australia will be October’s Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Perth.

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Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika ‘spotted meeting with rugby powerbrokers’ as speculation heats up over potential new role

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