Roosters assistant and former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has reportedly expressed his interest in the vacant head coaching role at the Dragons. And NRL premiership winners Matty Johns and Luke Keary both believe Cheika’s gravitas and ability to deal with high pressure environments would make him an ideal candidate for the role.
Former Dragons assistant Dean Young has taken over as interim coach for the rest of the season after the departure of Shane Flanagan this week. Young is considered one of the favourites to be handed the head coaching role long-term, with Dragons premiership-winning former teammate Ben Hornby – who is currently Wayne Bennett’s assistant at Souths – among the other frontrunners.
Matty Johns (R) reckons Dragons bosses should consider a left-field option to replace Shane Flanagan (L) as the NRL club’s next head coach. Pic: Getty
But Roosters assistant Cheika has emerged as a shock new candidate ahead of the Tri Colours’ traditional Anzac Day blockbuster against the Dragons on Saturday. Cheika enjoyed a six-year stint as head coach of the Wallabies and led Australia to the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
His impressive rugby CV includes trophies all around the world. Cheika led Irish side Leinster to their first-ever European title after winning the Heineken Cup in 2009 and also coached the NSW Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2014. He also helped the Wallabies win the Rugby Championship in 2015, before being named World Rugby Coach of the Year.
Cheika since turned his attentions to rugby league and took Lebanon to the previous World Cup as head coach. He’s signed on to lead The Cedars in this year’s Rugby League World Cup too, and officially joined Trent Robinson’s coaching staff at the Roosters this season after working with the NRL club as a consultant previously.
Trent Robinson’s (L) assistant at the Roosters Michael Cheika is reportedly interested in the vacant head coaching role at the Dragons. Pic: Getty
(Matt King via Getty Images)Michael Cheika receives backing for Dragons coaching job
Cheika is off-contract with the Roosters at the end of the season and News Corp is reporting that he’s interested in the Dragons coaching job. And Newcastle premiership winner Johns believes Cheika is the sort of figure who could “unite” the struggling club and cope with the enormous pressure that comes with the job.
“You have to be able to handle the heat these days and ‘Cheik’ is experienced enough to do that,” Johns told News Corp. “There’s only one coach at the Dragons who has convinced the blazers at the club to row in the same direction and that was Wayne Bennett because of his strength and presence. Cheik is exactly the sort of senior coach who could do that.”
Three-time NRL premiership winner Keary worked with Cheika during the 59-year-old’s first stint at the Roosters, when the veteran mentor’s knowledge of league was limited. But Keary says Cheika has a far greater understanding of the game now and carries an “aura” that would make him an intriguing candidate for the Dragons job.
“He’s got a presence, he’s got an aura, like he’s a head-coach,” Keary said. “You can tell, even though his rugby league knowledge wasn’t very high when he first came. It is now. I can tell you, even talking to him now, he’s been an assistant, he’s in a much better position.”