Michael Cheika joins Argentina as coaching consultant for Rugby Championship

Former Australia coach Michael Cheika has been appointed as the coaching consultant for Argentina for the upcoming Rugby Championship tournament.

Cheika spent most of his coaching career with Australia after being in charge of them between 2014 and 2019 and has been working with National Rugby League champion Sydney Roosters this year following the Wallabies' quarter-final exit from World Cup last year.

Pumas coach Mario Ledesma already has worked under Cheika when the latter was head coach of Stade Francais between 2010 and 2012.

"He was very excited, he has always liked Argentine rugby a lot," Ledesma said in a statement released.

"This an excellent opportunity to continue learning because he thinks out of the box and has an innovative and super creative vision, very different from most coaches that I have come across."

Cheika also coached Leinster to a European title in 2009 and has guided New South Wales Waratahs to Super Rugby triumph in 2014.

"You could say, 'I am going to show (Rugby Australia),'" he told The Times.

"But I'm never going to go against them. That's my country. They are my guys. That's the jersey my kids wear."

Argentina will kick-start the Rugby Championship campaign with a clash against South Africa on 7th November at Lang Park in Brisbane.