FORMER WALLABIES and Leinster head coach Michael Cheika has played down links with the vacant job at English Premiership side Gloucester, saying he is still searching for the right opportunity.
Cheika quit as Wallabies coach in October after Australia’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final exit against England and is currently a consultant with rugby league side Sydney Roosters.
British media reports said he was among the candidates interviewed by Gloucester after coach Johan Ackermann resigned last month to join Japanese side NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
“I haven’t had anything to do with them,” Cheika, who has previously coached with Leinster, Stade Francais, and the NSW Waratahs, told rugby.com.au.
“They’ve always been a good team, I only know of them as an opponent,” he said, adding “It’s nothing I’m involved with at the moment.”
Cheika, who was the Australia coach for five years, steering them to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, said he had been to Europe talking to people about opportunities, but nothing fitted so far.
Cheika has also been linked with French Pro D2 club Béziers.
“For me, the important thing for next is making sure it’s the right people that I get to work with, right club and that it’s the right time for someone like me,” said Cheika.
“Coaches don’t always fit, you want to be the right person and for it be a team that will use the skill sets short to medium term.”
Kelleher is one to watch for the future. A very impressive young player.
@EK: I agree with you on this one too. Really excited about what Kelleher can bring to the Leinster squad. If he stays fit he could be a great player for us.
@EK: can’t wait to see him lining out for Munster in a year or two
As a Munster fan I must tip my hat off to the Leinster development system from the schools and the “A” team they really have produced amazing players and teams over the last decade it’s a shame Munster can’t seem to do the same with their young players they tend to favour size over talent
@Joe: it’s not that Munster aren’t picking young talent it’s just it’s not there. The Ireland u20s teams for the last few years tells you that
@PScald: Producing means means you put players there. Or did harry potter forget to wave his wand to put them there after a mid-air quidditich concussion?
@Joe: Munster A looked pretty good against a Leinster A team that included Dave Kearney, Adam Byrne, Ross Moloney, Peter Dooley, Noel Reid in Donnybrook a couple of weeks back
The silver ware keeps coming. Congratulations Leinster A.. what happens now? Do the A teams go into to storage till next year? I hope not
@PScald: I think ideally they play AIL and strengthen that
@PScald: No they will play Munster down in thomond on the 29th
@PScald: a lot of the Leinster A team will be playing for the first team during the internationals I would imagine, like the Byrne twins, Tom Daly, Mick Kearney, Ross Molony etc.
Great win with a strong squad. Interesting to see the future of this competition and the benefits for teams. The regions in wales seem to have enjoyed the game time.
Ronan Kelleher has in my opinion the potential to be our best international hooker since Keith Wood.
Brilliant for Leinster – watch out for Penney & Doris in the back row – awesome potential