Australia have confirmed the appointment of Michael Cheika as their new coach after he put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal.

The Wallabies have not wasted any time in replacing Ewen McKenzie who resigned following the defeat to New Zealand at the weekend.
Cheika has an impressive record and the ARU believe he is the man to guide them to glory in next year’s World Cup.

Cheika took Leinster to Heineken Cup glory in 2009 and then in the southern hemisphere this year he was in charge as the NSW Waratahs won the Super Rugby title.

“Central to our decision was selecting a world-class coach who can lead us to victory in next year’s Rugby World Cup,” said ARU chief executive Bill Pulver.

“He the only coach in history to coach both a European Cup-winning side and a Super Rugby-winning side.”

Cheika added: “I am going to have to work hard and learn quickly but I am up for the challenge. I’ll be doing my best, that’s the only thing I can guarantee.”

Meanwhile, the Wallabies have also named their squad for their forthcoming European tour and have included five uncapped players.

The one surprise is 20-year-old Melbourne Rebels flanker Sean McMahon who joins wingers Tom English (Rebels) and Henry Speight (ACT Brumbies), Western Force centre Kyle Godwin and his club-mate, prop Tetera Faulkner, in the squad.