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

August 22, 2026 — 10:03amSepia-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.Michael Cheika will take the reins at the Waratahs for the second time in his career.APIt 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.Michael Cheika and Michael Hooper celebrate victory over the Crusaders in the Super Rugby decider in 2014.Getty ImagesTalks 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.Michael Cheika, pictured here in 2022, is back at the Tahs.Oscar ColmanBut 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.“With what he’s been able to achieve in different programs, he can achieve a hell of a lot and help everyone at NSW Rugby knock things into shape. His impact will be felt well beyond now.“There is a second year, and we hope that he would want to stay for that second year, but really, we went in knowing that’s an option. If it works out, great; if it doesn’t (stay), we’ll be in far better shape than what we were without him. We are thrilled.”Heading into a Rugby World Cup year, and with the tournament being played in Australia, the sense of urgency at RA for the Waratahs to rediscover success – and re-engage the country’s biggest market – was highlighted by the exit of McKellar, with a year remaining on his contract.Some of the biggest salaries in Australian rugby are held by Tahs players, including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Angus Bell and the incoming Angus Crichton, but crowds have been steadily falling in recent years, with the Tahs having not made the finals since 2023.Cheika’s reputation as a turnaround specialist – proven many times – was therefore attractive.“He’s a world-class operator, and he’s shown that across multiple programs. If you look at who’s had the biggest impact on rugby, the greatest exports we’ve had in rugby from a coaching sense are him and Eddie. They’ve both achieved a hell of a lot,” Herbert said.Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh, who led the Cheika negotiatioons, and RA chair Daniel Herbert.Getty Images“There are a lot of other young coaches coming through in lots of different programs, but to have Michael here and motivated about coaching the Waratahs again, getting them in good shape there, that’s great news. He’ll start to mentor some younger coaches as well.“It’s a great boon for Australian rugby, but in particular for every Waratahs and NSW rugby fan. It’s such an important market, and to have a person of that calibre, it’s just a great reunion.”Setting up a succession plan with Hoiles, or whoever wins the senior assistant job, eased concerns inside RA about the Cheika return being a short-term fix, and allowed it to be framed as a coaching solution that can pave the way for stability.Cheika is an assistant at the Roosters, and is often spotted in the cafe under the RA headquarters that the NRL club also frequent. Cheika addressed Roosters players on Wednesday ahead of the news being announced by the Waratahs.One small but significant part of the Cheika return, which could easily get lost, is the resumption of cordial relations between the coach and Rugby Australia.Cheika’s exit from the Wallabies after the 2019 Rugby World Cup was messy, and saw a breakdown of relationships with then chief executive Raelene Castle and chair Cameron Clyne. Waugh was on the RA board at the time, but he was only new.Cheika and Waugh met in February last year, when RA were searching for a successor to Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach, but at the time head office wanted a continuity candidates, not a change agent, so Les Kiss got the nod.But a change is what is wanted at the Waratahs, and RA securing Cheika to be the agent has already proved valuable, with a mostly enthusiastic response from fans, media and players.“He is almost too big now for that job, to be honest,” one insider said, on the condition of anonymity. “They’ve done well to get him.”News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.From our partners