Michael Cheika on why Rugby Australia made a ‘good call’ in bringing Eddie Jones back

Michael Cheika believes that friend and ex-Randwick team-mate Eddie Jones is the right man to bring success back to Australian rugby.

Rugby Australia made the stunning call just a few months out from the Rugby World Cup to sack head coach Dave Rennie and rehire Jones.

The 63-year-old first held the position as Wallabies boss in 2001 and remained in the role for four years before he departed in 2005.

Almost two decades have gone by since then, where he has enjoyed success with Japan and England – taking the latter to the World Cup final in 2019.

Difficult start

However, Jones endured an inauspicious return to the Australia hotseat, suffering a heavy 43-12 defeat to South Africa in the Rugby Championship opener.

They will look to get back on track against Cheika’s outfit and the Argentinian head coach is backing his former team-mate to turn their fortunes around.

“We come from the same place really, just down at Coogee here,” he said.

“So that’s the one thing you know you’re going to get all the time. Styles can change and of course players have got to act that out on the field as well.

“But I thought it was a good call that Australia brought him back and I’m sure it will be. As long as it’s not when we’re playing against them.”

Cheika famously had a dreadful record against Jones when the two were in charge of Australia and England respectively.

The Red Rose boss claimed seven wins in a row against the Wallabies before Cheika departed following the 2019 World Cup.

He then took charge of Argentina in 2022 and led the South Americans to a famous win over Jones’ England at Twickenham.

The 56-year-old has had the bragging rights since then but he is certainly not gloating about it and risking a response from his opposition head coach.

“I wouldn’t say on the overall ledger that that’s the case. I’m still hungry for a few more, don’t worry,” Cheika said.

“Eddie’s a quality coach and I think that’s why Australia wanted to have him back because he can add a lot to the team here, and I’m sure he will.

“They’re just in construction like where we’re starting our season too so he’s a high quality coach and you always want to go up against high quality coaches just to test yourself.”

Pressure

Cheika is now away from the baying Australian media but the former Waratahs head coach does not believe that it eases the pressure on him.

“Pressure, there’s two types,” he said.

“There’s the pressure that’s applied from the outside and then there’s the pressure that you apply on yourself, and I’ve always applied maximum pressure on myself because that’s what I want to do.

“I want to test myself in the most difficult situations and see how I can help myself and the team come out on top. I want to be in that environment. I’m not worried about that environment.

“And that hardens you so that when you come to the external pressure, you’ve asked yourself all the questions that anyone wants to ask you anyway, if you’re being genuine with yourself.

“It’s more about ego. I want to win with Argentina as much as I’ve wanted to win with any other team I’ve coached.”

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