Cheika\u2019s name has popped up several times over the years when head coaching vacancies have appeared, but he\u2019s yet to get a crack in the NRL despite a decorated career with the Lebanese international side, as well as with Australia and Argentina in rugby union.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776909012_441_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
The former Wallabies coach spent some time with the Roosters in 2020 as a consultant and has rejoined them in a specialist role working with the forwards.<\/p>\n
His name has already been mentioned as one of the options to replace Shane Flanagan at the Dragons, and he\u2019s got strong support from the man who he\u2019s worked closely with at the Roosters. <\/p>\n
\u201c(You) need to ask chairmen and CEOs that,\u201d Robinson said when asked if teams would be willing to hire someone with a strong rugby background.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a head coach, that\u2019s pretty clear, and he always has been. Michael Cheika has been linked with the Dragons job. Picture: Phil Walter\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWhenever that comes up, he\u2019ll be a head coach in the future somewhere pretty quickly, so he\u2019ll be ready to go.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe works with the forwards a lot and he\u2019s worked really well with that crew. Building that mindset along with the skill set, he\u2019s learning at the same time around the nuances of the game, but the mindset he\u2019s had for a long time, so he\u2019s been a good value add.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robinson has a proud tradition of seeing his assistants go on to bigger things in the game, with club legend Boyd Cordner promoted in his role at the Blues.<\/p>\n
The former NSW skipper replaces Dragons interim coach Dean Young as one of Laurie Daley\u2019s assistants, with Cordner enjoying plenty of success in his other role as coach of the Roosters SG Ball Cup side. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a great coach. He will be a great coach. And it\u2019s a good step towards his future,\u201d Robinson said.Boyd Cordner is the new NSW assistant coach. Picture: Mark Kolbe\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201c(He\u2019s got a) deep knowledge of rugby league, so he knows the nuances of the game. He knows how the game should be played, and then he\u2019s got the ability to communicate that. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s Boydo\u2019s choice that if he wants to go down that line, then he can, and he\u2019s obviously doing it in part-time roles. But Boyd is and will be a very good coach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordner played in plenty of Anzac Day matches, with the Roosters not worrying themselves about what\u2019s been happening at the Dragons this week.<\/p>\n
A new coach is one thing, but of more importance to the Roosters is how they deal with rookie halfback Kade Reed, who can expect plenty of traffic sent his way.<\/p>\n
Debutant Kade Reed will be an obvious target in defence when the Roosters take on the Dragons. Picture: Jason McCawley\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the game, so that will always be a part of it. But it won\u2019t just be him,\u201d Robinson said, confirming Billy Smith won\u2019t return at centre this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe game used to be played where years ago, they (smaller halves) used to play second line (defence) and they used to slot in on the far side of where the defensive lines were or where the ball was and move around. That\u2019s not the case anymore. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou need 13 guys aiming up and it\u2019s a physical game, so our most important preview for this game was our review, and that\u2019s the things that we want to do and the things that we want to improve on. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t change direction, but our style of game can double down on some of those areas that we want to attack.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done our work as we do each week, no more than any other player that we face each week. But we\u2019re really clear on the way that he plays the game and what he\u2019ll bring to them, and then also what we need to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s played a lot of footy, and we\u2019ve watched him play a lot of footy. He just hasn\u2019t played NRL yet. He\u2019s played a trial, but he\u2019s played a lot of reserve grade and he\u2019s come through the grades, so as long as you do your work, you know the player.\u201d<\/p>\n
MAL IN SPOTLIGHT AFTER SHOCK DEPARTURE<\/p>\n
The Perth Bears have been rocked by the departure of Mal Meninga\u2019s hand-picked right-hand man with Head of Football David Sharpe quitting his post before their inaugural season. <\/p>\n
Code Sports<\/a> reported Meninga\u2019s tenure as Perth coach has come under further scrutiny after Sharpe\u2019s decision to step down months out from the expansion side\u2019s first game. <\/p>\n Meninga had personally campaigned for Sharpe, the former head of Sports Integrity Australia, to be appointed as the head of football at the Bears. <\/p>\n However, Sharpe\u2019s future at the club was placed in doubt in recent weeks amid claims that he was at odds with chief executive Anthony De Ceglie as well as other key staff members.<\/p>\n The Bears confirmed in a statement Sharpe had parted ways with the club.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Perth Bears thanks Mr David Sharpe for his contribution in establishing and developing our rugby league club,\u201d the club said in a statement. <\/p>\n Sharpe thanked the club for the opportunity, but ultimately chose to pursue a different path. <\/p>\n \u201cI have chosen to leave the Perth Bears for a new opportunity,\u201d Sharpe said. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a privilege to help lead the establishment of the club, and particularly the Football Department and Bear Tracks academy. <\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n MCKINNON: Telling Wayne hint in Dragons mess… why $900k blunder could backfire<\/a><\/p>\n CRAWLS: Answer that proves Dragons picked right man; Cody successor stuns with try<\/a><\/p>\n TALKING PTS: Blunt reality in awkward halves headaches; \u2018ugly\u2019 fear in Dragons call<\/a><\/p>\n Mal Meninga\u2019s Head of Football David Sharpe has quit the Perth Bears.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n