Monday Round-Up

Cheika in line: Reports emanating out of the Australian media today, are suggesting that Waratahs head coach Michael Cheika is in the final round of negotiations with the Australian Rugby Union, over the vacant head coach role with the Wallabies. After weeks of controversy and what has been described as a character assassination, Ewen McKenzie left his post in the immediate aftermath of Australia’s heartbreaking one point loss to the All Blacks. Chief Executive with the Australian Rugby Union, Bill Pulver, stated on Saturday that the search had already begun and that he expected to be appointing a new boss before the squad departs for their Spring Tour on Friday. It looks as though Pulver may well get his wish, with Cheika rumoured to have already accepted the job offer, with the final negotiations over contract details taking place as we speak. The sticking point surrounding the negotiations seems to be Cheika’s position with the Super Rugby champions, the Waratahs, with some reporting that the former Leinster head coach will continue on in his role as head coach of the Sydney based franchise, while also in charge of the Wallabies.

SBW Back: All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has handed recalls to two of the game’s finest exponents, in Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams. After two years of code-hopping with the Rabbitohs in rugby league’s NRL, Williams returns to the All Blacks squad for the forthcoming European Tour. The recall for the midfield maestro comes off the back of two performances for Counties Manukau in recent weeks. In more good news for both Steve Hansen and New Zealand fans alike, playmaker Dan Carter returns to the fold having recovered from fracturing his leg during the Super Rugby final. Despite having only 40 minutes of rugby under his belt, the game’s finest out half is included by Hansen, meaning Colin Slade misses out, despite being the man to salvage the win for the All Blacks with a last-minute conversion on Saturday. Should Carter prove he is unfit to travel, Slade will be recalled. Elsewhere, there were eyebrows raised upon the inclusion of second row Luke Romano, who is still recovering from a broken leg, with Hansen simply wanting to get the Crusader back involved in the national setup.

Ryan Sheady