Michael Cheika switches codes to take coaching role with Lebanon

Former Australia head coach Michael Cheika will be switching codes to rugby league ahead of the 2021 World Cup.

Cheika had already worked with Randwick, Leinster, Stade Francais and Waratahs but the highlight of his coaching career came with the Wallabies which he coached between 2014 and 2019. He also guided Australia to back to back World Cups in 2015 and 2019 and went on to win World Rugby Coach of the Year award in 2015.

Currently, he is working with Argentina as an advisor in the ongoing Tri-Nations Rugby Championship tournament during which the Pumas registered their first-ever win over New Zealand.

The 53-year-old has now been signed by Lebanon team and will be in charge of training and performance of the players leading them to 2021 edition of Rugby League World Cup to be played in England. They are grouped in Pool C where they will lock horns with New Zealand, Ireland and Jamaica in the group stage.

“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to represent Lebanon on the world stage at the Rugby League World Cup in 2021,” said Cheika, born in Australia to Lebanese immigrants.

“I am looking forward to the Lebanese diaspora coming together with those in Lebanon to make everyone in the country and around the world very proud of their team – and we can give them plenty to cheer about.”