‘I’ll tap into some of his experiences’ – Les Kiss reveals how Michael Cheika’s Waratahs return could aid the Wallabies
Waratahs head coach Michael Cheika and Wallabies boss Les Kiss (inset).
Wallabies boss Les Kiss believes Michael Cheika will make a “positive impact” at the Waratahs after he was appointed as the Sydney-based outfit’s head coach last week.
Cheika returns to the Waratahs after recently serving as a rugby league assistant coach with NRL outfit Sydney Roosters.
Prior to that, the 59-year-old’s last rugby union job was with Leicester Tigers, whom he guided to the 2024/25 PREM Rugby final, where they suffered a narrow defeat to Bath.
He takes over the Waratahs‘ coaching reins from Dan McKellar, who resigned from his position at the end of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season following two unsuccessful Super Rugby Pacific campaigns.
No stranger to the Waratahs job
Cheika‘s appointment has been welcomed by Waratahs fans, as this will be his second stint in charge of the team after he previously led the side to the 2014 Super Rugby title while coaching them from 2013 to 2015.
Kiss, who recently started his tenure as Australia’s new head coach with back-to-back victories over Japan, was asked about Cheika’s appointment and said he feels he could be a perfect asset for the Wallabies in a World Cup year.
“We’ve been good mates and he’s a bloody good coach. I have no doubt that he’s going to have a positive impact, that’s for sure,” he said.
“He’ll put a team around him that he’ll help grow as well, and they’ll be good for that decision.
‘I’ll tap into some of his experiences’
“I’m looking forward to working with him. He knows what that jersey means to this country. He’s had that experience; he’s headed up that role just like I am now, so I’ll tap into some of his experiences.”
Meanwhile, despite being a stalwart for the Reds, who are the Waratahs’ arch-rivals, Wallabies utility forward Salakaia-Loto believes the Sydneysiders’ future is bright under their new head coach.
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“Perfect person for that job. I think whoever got that over the line has done a good job,” said the 29-year-old, who made his Wallabies debut under Cheika in 2017, when asked about the appointment.
“If there’s anyone that’s going to get those boys out of the place that they are and into a better spot, it’s ‘Cheik.’ He gave me my first opportunity back in 2017 and he backed me way back then, which seems like a long time now.
“There’ll be a lot of Moore Park Hill and Coogee stairs [running], but he’s a great connection guy, someone who allows boys to be themselves.
“When I was involved with him, he’s always had a chip on his shoulder, so I’m sure he’ll be wanting to get the Tahs back to where he believes that they should be.
“But it’ll be awesome to catch up with him and see him when we’re playing against the Tahs next year.”
READ MORE: Michael Cheika’s Australian Rugby return confirmed: ‘Always occupied a special place for me’
