Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Dane Coles scoring a try as the All Blacks eased to victory

Cheika challenge for Aussies to restore pride

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika faces perhaps "the biggest challenge" of his career in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand in Wellington, a week after his side were humiliated by the same opposition in Sydney.

Rugby • 23 Aug 16

Michael Cheika's Wallabies have lost their first two Tests against England

Cheika hits back at 'shallow' Hansen criticism

Australia coach Michael Cheika has shrugged off Steve Hansen's claim that he allowed himself to be bullied by Eddie Jones during the Wallabies' series defeat.

Rugby • 21 Jun 16

Michael Cheika said he is 'extremely honoured' to continue with Australia

Michael Cheika extends Australia contract

Michael Cheika has agreed a two-year extension as Australia coach.

Rugby • 19 May 16

Michael Cheika has reaffirmed his commitment to the Wallabies

Cheika rules out vacant England job

England's search for their new head coach was dealt another blow after Australia's highly-rated Michael Cheika ruled himself out of contention.

Rugby • 16 Nov 15

Michael Cheika: 'We're not all guys who are camped out by the billabong with a cork hat'

Cheika: Blood, sweat & hard work key for Aussies

He has not scored any tries, kicked any goals or made a single tackle, but no-one has played a bigger role in getting Australia into Saturday's Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand than former Leinster coach Michael Cheika.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 30 Oct 15

Japan have been shortlisted for World Rugby's Team of the Year Award

Japan nominated for team and coach of the year

New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Japan and their respective coaches have all been shortlisted for World Rugby's Team of the Year and Coach of the Year awards.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 29 Oct 15

Australia are aiming to win a third Rugby World Cup

Cheika: All Blacks clear favourites for World Cup

Australia boss Michael Cheika had few qualms branding his Wallabies the underdogs for Saturday's World Cup final against defending champions New Zealand.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 26 Oct 15

Michael Cheika celebrates with fans after Australia reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals

Cheika: Australia showed naivety

Australia coach Michael Cheika was happy to admit to some "naivety" at committing to a running game after the Wallabies conjured a great escape to sink Scotland 35-34 in an epic World Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 19 Oct 15

Johnny Sexton feels Michael Cheika can breed fear in his players - in a positive way

Sexton: Fear factor makes Cheika a great coach

The secret to Michael Cheika's success with Australia lies in his ability to scare the wits out of his Wallabies, according to Johnny Sexton.

Rugby World Cup 2019 • 06 Oct 15

David Pocock was inspired against New Zealand on Saturday

Cheika's plays pop Kiwis ahead of World Cup

It took Wallabies coach Michael Cheika three matches to get round to it but Australia finally got the back row it had been clamouring for when David Pocock and Michael Hooper started alongside each other in the victory against the All Blacks.

Rugby • 09 Aug 15

Drew Mitchell (L) and Matt Giteau (R) wave to Australian fans following a game in 2009

Mitchell and Giteau selected for Australia

Australia coach Michael Cheika has included France-based backs Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell in his 40-man training squad for the Rugby Championship against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina.

Rugby • 02 Jul 15

Kurtley Beale will be available for Australia's World Cup challenge

Cheika backs Beale ahead of World Cup year

Controversial Australia back Kurtley Beale has put himself in line for a place at the World Cup after signing a one-year contract extension with Australian Rugby.

Rugby • 09 Jan 15

Australian players after their recent 26-23 defeat against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium

Cheika positive despite three losses for Australia

Australia's disappointing tour of Europe left Michael Cheika with plenty to ponder, but the new Wallabies coach remains confident the team can be World Cup contenders.

Rugby • 04 Dec 14

Michael Cheika has lost two of his first three games in charge of the Wallabies

Australia boss Cheika ready to face flak

Michael Cheika is ready to "weather the storm" if Australia slip to their worst northern hemisphere tour record since 2005 with defeat to England on Saturday.

Rugby • 28 Nov 14

Michael Cheika wants Australia to 'harden up'

Cheika tells Aussies to toughen up

Michael Cheika has challenged Australia to "harden up" against England at Twickenham on Saturday to dispel any notion the Wallabies are a soft touch.

Rugby • 23 Nov 14

Kurtley Beale has been named as a replacement for Australia's clash with Ireland

Cheika to be honest with Beale

Michael Cheika has vowed not to play "social worker" to controversy-plagued Australia utility back Kurtley Beale.

Rugby • 21 Nov 14

Australia coach Michael Cheika (L) with Quade Cooper

Cooper: Cheika forging new identity for Australia

Quade Cooper believes Australia must find a new "identity" under Michael Cheika to move on from the Kurtley Beale saga.

Rugby • 17 Nov 14

Wallabies made to work by Barbarians

Australia launched the Michael Cheika era with a victory, but failed to convince in edging past the Barbarians 40-36 at Twickenham.

Rugby • 01 Nov 14

Michael Cheika talks to his charges during an Australia training session

Cheika keen to stop exodus from Oz

Michael Cheika insists Australia must take a holistic approach to preventing a post-World Cup player drain next year.

Rugby • 31 Oct 14

Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt have coached against each other once before

'Bizarre’ reunion in store for Leinster old boys

Leinster's last two coaches are set to clash when Ireland host Australia next month and Joe Schmidt is looking forward to the “bizarre” match-up.

Rugby • 24 Oct 14

New Australia coach Michael Cheika speaks during his press conference

Cheika named Australia head coach

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika has been appointed as the new Australia head coach.

Rugby • 22 Oct 14

Brian O'Driscoll said Michael Cheika had changed things for Leinster and changed the mentality of many

O’Driscoll hails Cheika’s Leinster influence

Former Leinster and Ireland star Brian O’Driscoll has hailed the influence of Michael Cheika on the province, saying that he put in place the foundations on which Leinster's European success was based.

Rugby • 21 Oct 14

Michael Cheika set to succeed Ewen McKenzie at Australian helm

Cheika: I've been offered Wallabies job

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika has confirmed he has been offered the Australia head coach role left vacant by Ewen McKenzie's resignation, but said “there are a few things to be ironed out".

Rugby • 20 Oct 14

Ewen McKenzie resigned following Australia's loss to New Zealand

McKenzie resigns as Wallabies head coach

Ewen McKenzie has resigned as Australia's head coach following today's 29-28 loss to New Zealand.

Rugby • 18 Oct 14

Michael Cheika was Leinster head coach between 2005 and 2010

Cheika gets six-month suspended ban for abuse

Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika has been given a suspended six-month ban by Super Rugby's governing body after he admitted abusing a cameraman during a match.

Rugby • 29 Apr 14

Michael Cheika