Post Michael Cheika's survival, what's next for the Wallabies

After Australia head coach Michael Cheika survived the axe, we're starting to get a clearer picture of what the 2019 Wallabies coaching team will look like. Although, the vital question is how will things function in a high-stakes Rugby World Cup in Japan next year?

Despite the dreadful performance in the the recent past by the Wallabies and a slide to sixth in the world rankings, Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle has backed Cheika to lead the Wallabies.

However, the head coach will have to report to director of rugby Scott Johnson, who has been brought in as overseer in run-up to World Cup, odds for the RWC can be found here in the dutching calculator.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph reported that as a arrangement to Cheika staying, Scotland's director of rugby Johnson was installed above Cheika in a newly created role.

The pair will form a national selection panel along with a third, independent selector to be appointed in early 2019.

With nine losses from 13 Tests and half the tries scored compared to last year's season, the Wallabies coaching set-up was bound to undergo an overhaul. But what will be interesting to see is how Rugby Australia and Cheika will move forward from here.

Mick Byrne (skills) and Nathan Grey (defence) are likely being tipped to survive the assistant's pool while attack coach Stephen Larkham, the man once suggested by Cheika as his successor, has reportedly been offered up as the fall guy.

All four assistants are under pressure but Larkham's numbers are one of the most in decline.

If Larkham does go, who will replace him? Most importantly who will fix the line-outs, which turned out to be a complete mess this season.

But those are big ifs. The final decision now rests with Johnson, who will take into account recommendations made by Cheika.
The local media reports also suggest the changes won't stop there. The fallout will extend into the boardroom as chairman Cameron Clyne is under pressure and may not survive next April's annual meeting. John O'Neill is the name going around in media circles to replace Clyne.

The Wallabies coaching dramas have masked a few critical player issues with Rugby Australia's review throwing up a number of areas of concern. Cheika himself has nominated some players he felt have not lived up to the team's high behavioural standards.

Following their holidays, the players will report for the pre-World Cup Camp and it will take a massive effort from the coach to marshal the group behind the new order.