Monday 20 October 2014 10:11, UK
Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika is expected to be named Australia’s new head coach after confirming he has been offered the post following Ewen McKenzie's departure.
Cheika has been widely tipped by the Australian media as favourite to succeed McKenzie, who announced his resignation in the wake of the Wallabies’ latest defeat to New Zealand.
The All Blacks narrowly beat Australia 29-28 in the final Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane on Saturday, throwing the Wallabies’ forthcoming European tour into chaos.
On Sunday Australian Rugby Union chief Bill Pulver said that he had a list of options in mind for the job but had yet to speak with any of the potential candidates.
However, Cheika on Monday confirmed he had been approached to take the role, but claims negotiations are ongoing regarding the finer details of any agreement.
It's a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that, but we'll see what happens.
"It's a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that, but we'll see what happens," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"There are a few things to be ironed out, obviously the logistics, etc. Everything is so close. So we will see how it goes and work it out from there.
"Who wouldn't be excited in coaching the Wallabies."
As well as Cheika – who guided the Waratahs to the Super Rugby title – South Africa’s World Cup-winning mentor Jake White has also been linked with the job.
Pulver said that if it was not possible to appoint a new coach before the Wallabies leave Friday for a five-match tour in Europe against the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England, then an interim coach would be appointed.
McKenzie's unexpected exit added to the turmoil engulfing Australian rugby in the fall-out over the Kurtley Beale text scandal.
Beale has been suspended following an in-flight argument with team business manager Di Patston and claims that he sent offensive text messages about her. Patston, who was appointed by McKenzie, has since quit.
