Cheika offered top job at Force

[blueandblack]

The Western Force have made an offer to Heineken Cup winner Michael Cheika to take charge of the Super Rugby side for the next two seasons.

Almost 15 weeks after being told by Richard Graham that he was defecting to coach the Queensland Reds, the Force have finally made their choice.

They are hoping Cheika will give them a quick answer so that he can be officially announced to the players on their return from New Zealand after today's final match in Christchurch.

The Force now face a battle to keep captain and star Wallabies flanker David Pocock.

The Brumbies and Rebels have expressed interest in Pocock, who has maintained that he will not make a decision on a new contract until after the coach is named.

Cheika's appointment and Pocock's decision are crucial to the club after a poor season that has left them at the foot of the Australian Super conference table.

It will be interesting to see how a number of other squad members, who were involved in the revolt against John Mitchell's man-management style, respond to Cheika, who has a reputation as a no-nonsense coach prepared to take a hard line.

Cheika, who has made a fortune with his fashion distribution business, was a tough No.8 at Randwick from 1985-1999, captained the side for three years and won seven premierships with the Sydney side.

He represented Australia at under-21 level and played for NSW, as well as in France and Italy for Castres Olympique, C.A.S.G. Paris and Livorno.

He began his coaching career at Padova, then headed back to take charge at Randwick in 2001, taking them to premiership success three years later.

His big move came in 2005 when Leinster took a punt to hire the then little known coach. He stayed for five years, carried out a virtual overhaul of the playing squad and took them to the Heineken Cup.
Two years ago, he took the reins at French club Stade Francais, but struggled to gain success and was let go earlier this year amid reports in the French media of player unrest.

[Jambooi]

Starting to look good

[palitu]

at last! take the job, i'll throw in a tenner!

[GIGS20]

No signature, no celebration from my point of view.

As Geniagate has proven nothing's final without a signature!

Plus, it's only an offer, there is no indication of an in principle agreement or anything!

Does anybody want to join me in a quick prayer to whatever deity serves your purpose?

[SinBin]

Nick Taylor jumped the gun again Ecky?

[Alison]

No signature, no celebration from my point of view.

As Geniagate has proven nothing's final without a signature!

Plus, it's only an offer, there is no indication of an in principle agreement or anything!

Does anybody want to join me in a quick prayer to whatever deity serves your purpose?

Yes, me! It's all yada yada until the ink is dry!

[Burgs]

"Hold...HOLD...HHOOLLLDDD!"

From article:

It will be interesting to see how a number of other squad members, who were involved in the revolt against John Mitchell's man-management style, respond to Cheika, who has a reputation as a no-nonsense coach prepared to take a hard line.

There aren't going to be too many of the pretty boys left from that era to even worry about?

[stejwill]

If this is true (big 'if') then IMO it is another example of poor management. Why announce an uncertainty?
Posted via Mobile Device

[GIGS20]

We aren't short of players who have something to fear from a no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is style f coach coming on board though Burgs.

Dave Harvey has struggled manfully to fill a position which his body just isn't capable of filling, but lots of blokes can't be placed in that basket, and somebody like Mitch (or apparently Cheika) wouldn't hesitate to tell them that........maybe we need a bit more of that and a bit less of the fluffy bunnies.


Is it coincidence that Drew Mitchell developed into one of the best outside backs in Australia once he took up with a team which finally made it stick that he wasn't a fullback and he should concentrate on being a winger?.........I think there's a lesson in that!

[Burgs]

If this is true (big 'if') then IMO it is another example of poor management. Why announce an uncertainty?
Posted via Mobile Device

RWA have more leaks than a colander stej, surely you aren't surprised?

[wholetruth]

I'm not sure Nick Taylor has jumped the gun. The article simply says that an offer has been made and I haven't heard anyone refute that. Let's just hope Cheika says yes.

[hertryk]

Let's be positive..he must have thrown his hat in the ring to get considered..and surely they (RWA) must have given him some indication on the terms and conditions at the interview... so it's now just a formality UNLESS her's been offered another offer that he can't refuse in the mean time..????

[SNOB]

Not even "unnamed sauces" named!

[Ecky]

Nick Taylor jumped the gun again Ecky?

If you can rearrange these letters to form a single word, it will reveal my position in this matter:

Go Amber

[SinBin]

.. Let's just hope Cheika says yes.

I'd say Taylor's had his Cheika speil sitting ready in his drafts folder for a week and just itching to beat everyone to punch. Weekend West edition and he's had to run with something so he's ran with the offer on the table line..