Michael Cheika quits as Australia coach after Rugby World Cup exit
- Published
England's 24-point margin of victory was their biggest in a World Cup knockout game and Australia's heaviest defeat in the knockouts
2019 Rugby World Cup |
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Australia coach Michael Cheika says he will leave his role when his contract expires at the end of the year.
The Wallabies suffered a 40-16 defeat by England in the World Cup quarter-finals in Oita on Saturday.
Cheika said last year, external he would walk away if Australia did not win the World Cup but would not be drawn on his future immediately after the match.
"I always knew the answer in my head," said Cheika, who took over in 2014 and led Australia to the final in 2015.
"I just wanted to speak to my wife and tell a few people up there about it. I put my chips in earlier in the year when I told people 'no win, no play'.
"I'm the type of man who is always going to back what he says and I knew from the final whistle but I just wanted to give it that little bit time to cool down, talk to my people and then make it clear."
Former Leinster and Stade Francais boss Cheika, 52, says he would have loved to have stayed on but told the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) he would quit if the Wallabies fell short at the World Cup.
"It will be very hard to replicate the thrill and excitement of coaching at international level to be honest," he added.
"I've never coached as a job, only for the pleasure. I haven't really thought about it, so I'll see what happens next.
"I'm not swayed by many things, as long as I know I'm doing my absolute best, leaving no stone unturned to prepare the team but also representing the game for the whole country.
"I tried my absolute best to do that. I've loved every minute of it so there's no emotional toll."
Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle said in a statement: "On behalf of Rugby Australia, I want to thank Michael for his dedication and service to the role of Wallabies head coach since taking up the position in 2014.
"Michael is a passionate and experienced coach who worked tirelessly to get the best out his players. He cares deeply about the Wallabies and the game of rugby, and always set out with the aim of making Wallabies fans proud of the team's performances."
