| Rugby union career | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Playing career | |||
| Position | 8 | ||
| Coaching career | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| -- 2001-2005 2005-2010 2010-Present |
Padova Randwick Leinster Stade Français |
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| Rugby union career | |||
Michael Cheika is a former Australian rugby union player and is a Heineken Cup winning coach and entrepreneur. He is the head coach of Stade Français since his appointment in 2010. He is of Lebanese origin [1]
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Cheika was a No. 8 and he captained Randwick from 1997–99 [2]
Cheika represented Australia at U-21 level
Cheika played for New South Wales, Castres Olympique and C.A.S.G. Paris in the French league and Italian side Rugby Livorno where he played alongside David Knox.
Cheika had never coached before but when David Campese brought a coaching job to his attention in Italy he applied and was successful. Cheika and Knox coached Padova through a Heineken Cup campaign but did not yield any wins.[3]
Cheika returned to Randwick in 2001 when his father fell ill. With European coaching experience under his belt he secured the Randwick coaching ticket and coached them to Premier League success in 03/04 [4]
Cheika replaced Declan Kidney as head coach at Leinster in May 2005. Mick Dawson, Leinster's Chief Executive described it as a calculated punt [5]
Kidney had left in contentious circumstances having agreed a move to rivals Munster before the season's end and Leinster were said to be in disarray.[6] Cheika brought assistant David Knox with him to Ireland.
Cheika's first season culminated in a Heineken Cup Semi – Final against Munster, which Munster won on their way to lifting the trophy.
Cheika's second season in charge was a difficult one as Leinster were knocked out of the Heineken Cup at the Quarter Final Stage by London Wasps
The 07/08 season saw more European disappointment when Leinster failed to get out of their qualifying pool, but Leinster did secure the Celtic League trophy with a bonus point win against Newport Gwent Dragons. It was Cheika's first trophy as Leinster coach and Leinster's first since 2001's Celtic League [7]
Knox was coach until he left for a return to Sydney in 2008. On leaving Knox blasted Irish rugby and Cheika responded that Knox was a bitter man [8]
Leinster added Alan Gaffney in for the 2009 season as backs coach to add to Kurt McQuilkin as defence coach and forwards coach Jono Gibbes .[9]
Leinster lost their Magner's Celtic League crown to Munster in 2009 but European success was achieved in Leinster's first Heineken Cup final, which they won 19–16, becoming the club champions of Europe.[10]
He left his post with Leinster Rugby at the end of the 2009–2010 season to become head coach for French Top 14 side Stade Français.
Cheika married in June 2008.[11]
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