‘He’s a world-class operator’: How the Cheika deal to return to the Waratahs was done

Sepia-toned sugar hit, or seismic change under a world-class coach? That’s the debate emerging over Michael Cheika’s return to the Waratahs as head coach for, at least, the 2027 season .

Following a three-week flurry of negotiations between Cheika and Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh, the 59-year-old agreed to return to NSW a dozen years after leading the franchise to its one and only Super Rugby title in 2014.

It will be a reunion, of sorts, with two key members of that Waratahs side – Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps – having also recently re-signed with the outfit for 2027 , and with Stephen Hoiles the frontrunner to become a senior assistant coach under Cheika, and his likely successor in 2028.

Another 2014 alumni, Wycliff Palu, is also in the mix to return as an assistant coach.

The jokes have been flowing online about getting the 2014 Tahs band back together , but those relationships were instrumental in Cheika returning, according to informed sources familiar with how the deal was done.

After Dan McKellar exited in June , the Tahs and RA – which owns the franchise – called for applications. Cheika did not apply but after senior NSW players reached out to raise the possibility of him also returning with Foley and Phipps, a meeting with RA was set up.

Talks between Cheika and Waugh progressed, and terms were agreed. Cheika remains connected emotionally to the Waratahs, and the timing worked.

The former Wallabies coach has been pursuing a head coach gig in the NRL but missed out on the Eels job last year, and the Dragons vacancy earlier this year. A return to head coaching in rugby – where he remains in demand among major Test nations and the world’s biggest clubs – was always on.

With the likelihood of high-profile head coaching jobs in international rugby opening up after the 2027 Rugby World Cup, the former Randwick coach agreed to return to the Tahs for at least the next season, and with the option to stay in 2028.

Informed sources believe it is likely Cheika will only coach NSW for one season before handing over to his successor, but there is some hope once he is in the door and invested, the temptation to see out the mission may be too great.

The probable brevity of Cheika’s return has drawn critics, however, who argue it is another “sugar hit” for a club with a bad habit of chopping and changing coaches. Others say returning coaches rarely recapture the success of their first stint.

But Rugby Australia chairman Daniel Herbert is adamant the return of Cheika will be a huge boost for the Waratahs – and rugby in general – regardless of his length of stay, and said the fact he may only be on deck one year was never a problem.

“We went in knowing that was going to be the case. We went in at the very start – it was mentioned in the very first conversation – that we were aware of that,” Herbert said.

“In an ideal world, you could guarantee that second year, but you also know that a person of that calibre wants to coach internationally.