Michael Cheika will return to the “Varataz” for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season
Michael Cheika, former head coach of the Australian and Argentine national rugby teams, will return to the New South Wales Waratahs for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. The Sydney-based club announced this on August 19, according to Channel NewsAsia, citing Reuters.
The 59-year-old Cheika previously led the Waratahs and guided the team to its only Super Rugby title in 2014. He then took over as head coach of the Australian national team, which reached the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup under his leadership.
Cheika has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend through 2028. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Sydney Roosters rugby league club.
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The coach stated that the “Waratahs” have always held a special place in his life. He recalled the team’s success in 2014, as well as the passion and energy of its fans, adding that he is looking forward to this new chapter with the club.
Cheika’s predecessor, Dan McCallum, stepped down in June after the “Varataz” finished eighth out of 11 teams in the previous Super Rugby Pacific season. Earlier in August, fly-half Bernard Foley and scrum-half Nick Phipps—who played for the club during its 2014 championship run—returned to the team.
Barry-John Mezer, director of development and sporting performance for the Waratahs, described Cheika as a proven leader with extensive experience in building and preparing teams for top-level competition. Cheika was also the first coach to win the European Cup with Ireland’s Leinster in 2009 and the Super Rugby title.
