Wallabies coach Michael Cheika extends contract till 2019 World Cup

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has extended his contract for two more years, prolonging his commitment with the Australian Rugby Union until the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The 49-year-old who led the Wallabies to the World Cup final at Twickenham last October, had 18 months pending in his existing contract.

Cheika expressed his gratitude at being presented with the opportunity to coach the Australian national team. He assured to bring out the best performance from his players, something which the nation can be proud of.

"I never imagined I would be in the position of coaching Australia, and I feel extremely honoured to have the opportunity to continue on for the next period through to the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

"Along with the other members of our team, I will be doing my absolute best to ensure that every game that the Australian rugby team plays between now and then fills the nation with pride and all Australians can watch the Wallabies play in a way that Australians want to see rugby played.

"It is a privilege to be associated with the people involved with our national team, and playing my part in establishing the Wallabies' identity for the years to come and for many years after that."

Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver acknowledged the impact Cheika had on rugby in Australia after his men put up an impressive display in the 2015 World Cup hosted in England, where New Zealand won the cup over runners-up Australia, with South Africa defeating Argentina to take third place.

"The performance of the Wallabies at the World Cup put rugby back on the map in a huge way in Australia.

"You cannot understate the influence Michael has had, along with his fine coaching team, in igniting the passion of Australian rugby fans with the way the team performed on and off the field during the tournament."