Talks between ARU and Cheika over Wallabies job stalled

Negotiations between Michael Cheika and the Australian Rugby Union have stalled over the amount of autonomy the incoming Waratahs coach will have in the job.

Fairfax Media understands Cheika also wants to have his own coaching support staff in place before a contract is finalised.

The stall in negotiations began when Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham declared himself unavailable for an assistant’s role.

With Cheika set to take over from Ewen McKenzie, the consequences are potentially wide-ranging.

Besides the issue of settling on who joins Cheika at the Wallabies, there is also the question of what happens to those staff who worked under McKenzie and do not feature in Cheika’s plans.

Cheika is unlikely to roll over and be told who will be his support staff.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking towards the Wallabies’ scheduled departure on Friday afternoon for London and the start of their five-game tour of Europe.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald