The prospect of Parramatta recruiting Michael Cheika as their next full-time head coach has divided pundits as his credentials are put under the microscope.
The Eels have confirmed genuine interest in the the former Wallabies coach, whose resume is vastly more skewed towards rugby union than league.
Cheika coached the Argentinian rugby team from 2022-23, finishing up in December last year at the end of the World Cup cycle. He lead them to the semi-final stage where they were beaten by the All Blacks.
Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.77
$2.05
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$2.30
$1.62
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.80
$2.00
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$2.75
$1.45
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.52
$2.55
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$3.80
$1.27
*Odds are current as of 13th June 2024, 10:07pm AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.
The 57-year-old’s coaching career in the 15-man game stretches back to 1999 and includes stints with Randwick, Leinster in Ireland and Stade Francais in France before becoming NSW Waratahs coach in 2013.
Cheika’s relatively brief rugby league coaching experience includes his time in charge of Lebanon from 2020-22. The Cedars reached the quarter-final at the 2021 World Cup after wins against Ireland and Jamaica.
Cheika also took up a role as an assistant at the Roosters for the 2020 season, working under Trent Robinson.
Veteran Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield labeled taking a punt on Cheika as an NRL coach “too big a risk”, particularly for a club with genuine finals aspirations as soon as next year.
“Parramatta can’t take risks,” he said on NRL 360 Monday night.
“(The Eels) need to play finals next year.”
Fellow journalist Brent Read pitched a far more optimistic perspective on the 360 panel, arguing Cheika’s appointment is worth exploring.
“Hell yes,” Read said when asked if Cheika is ‘worth taking a look at.’
“He’s been an assistant coach at the Roosters, (he’s coached) Lebanon … I was at the World Cup two years ago, he coached Lebanon, (he) did a pretty good job.
“Admittedly they were out of their depth.”
READ MORE
PAUL CRAWLEY: Why Tigers may face brutal Benji call; Blues’ ‘laughable’ Latrell stance
Talking Pts: ‘Undeniable’ truth behind Dogs boost as Ciraldo masterstroke pays off
‘Can’t wait to get out’: Young gun’s shock call as Tigers boss called out over double standards
Origin legend Gorden Tallis, meantime, is vehemently against the idea of the 57-year-old taking the reins.
“Who has he coached?” Tallis said.
“I’m a big believer that you’ve got to coach ... If I’m (considering hiring) an apprentice (to build) a house, or (choosing) someone that’s built 10 houses, I want the guy that’s built 10 houses.
“I think we’ve got enough good rugby league coaches.
“What has he achieved in our game?
“Lebanon (at the World Cup), six games… give me a break.
“That’s desperation right there … I don’t think Parramatta is that desperate.”
The case for Cheika becoming the next head coach of the Eels may be contingent on him being surrounded by assistants with experience and high NRL IQ.
“So you tell me, if Michael Cheika comes to you and says, ‘I’ve got - say - Matt King and - just as an example - Jason Ryles coming with me, you wouldn’t consider that?” Read continued.
“Matt King might (come with Cheika), he’s coached with him at the Roosters.
“If (Cheika) turns up and pitches to them, ‘me in charge, right people around me,’ why can that not work?”
The Eels’ brass has shown no urgency to make an appointment, as fellow candidate Trent Barrett continues as interim coach.
Blues coach Michael Maguire, a candidate with no shortage of top flight experience, has reportedly ruled himself out of the race amid the on-going disruption it would cause during this year’s Origin series.
