‘I love the guy’: David Pocock doesn’t want Michael Cheika sacked as Wallabies coach
Wallabies back rower David Pocock has thrown his support behind his under-fire coach Michael Cheika amid speculation he could be sacked in the coming weeks following a disastrous 2018 Test season.
Key points:
- Michael Cheika's position as Wallabies coach is being reviewed by Rugby Australia
- Rugby Australia says it will decide on Cheika's future before Christmas
- The Wallabies won only four of 13 Tests under Cheika in 2018
Rugby Australia (RA) is conducting a review of the Wallabies' season under Cheika, in which they won only four of 13 Tests.
RA's decision is expected before Christmas, following Cheika's presentation to the board on Monday and feedback from his coaching staff, players and the high-performance unit.
Cheika's contract expires at the conclusion of the World Cup in Japan, which begins next September.
Pocock said he enjoyed being coached by Cheika and he hoped he would stay on to lead the Wallabies at the World Cup.
"I love the guy, I've learnt a huge amount from him, so like everyone else we'll wait and see what happens and move on," he said.
Pocock, however, said he was mindful the RA board would make the final decision on Cheika's future.
"There's probably not a huge amount of value getting players to start talking about it because it's a decision for people higher up the chain," he said.
"It's really out of our hands."
RA chairman Cameron Clyne briefly addressed a media conference in Sydney on Monday, outlining a decision on Cheika was imminent.
"We've had a presentation from Michael, data gathered from him, from his coaching staff, from the players and the high-performance unit, and we need to go through a fairly thorough review process," Clyne said.
"We've got all the information we need and we'll be going through that process. I know people are very keen to know what's going on but I thought it was important to at least let you know where we are in that process.
"We'll have more to say and have that process wrapped up ahead of Christmas."
The Wallabies have slipped to sixth on the World Rugby rankings under Cheika's coaching.
AAP/ABC
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