Former Wallabies Coach Michael Cheika Joins Sydney Roosters Coaching Staff 2026

Michael Cheika, former Wallabies and Argentina rugby union coach, has joined the Sydney Roosters National Rugby League (NRL) team as a full-time assistant coach specializing in forwards. Cheika, who previously worked as a consultant for the Roosters in 2020, brings extensive coaching experience from top rugby union roles, including leading Australia to the 2015 World Cup final and coaching Argentina and the NSW Waratahs. He has also coached the Lebanon rugby league team and expressed aspirations to become an NRL head coach. Roosters coach Trent Robinson and football director Mitchell Aubusson praised Cheika's leadership, high-performance expertise, and ability to inspire athletes, highlighting his potential impact on both the NRL forwards and the club's development pathways. Cheika's appointment follows the departure of attacking specialist Justin Holbrook, who left to coach the Newcastle Knights. The Roosters finished eighth in the 2025 season and were eliminated in the first week of the finals by Cronulla.