Argentina coach Michael Cheika has offered some free advice to Rugby Australia while distancing himself from a bold foray into the NRL with the Wests Tigers.
Cheika, who led Los Pumas to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in France, was responding to reports that the Tigers were headhunting him as their new general manager of football.
"I know it's been bandied around that they're looking for some solutions in their management role," Cheika told SEN.
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"But if I was to ever go down that road, I think it would be more to test myself as a coach more than anything. I think to try and master that challenge would be awesome."
The former Wallabies coach has also been linked with a potential return to replace Eddie Jones, with Dan McKellar, Stephen Larkham and Ian Foster other names in the early mix.
But Cheika plans to let the dust settle on the World Cup before deciding on his next project.
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"When I was the coach in Australia, I was very loyal and that's my go," Cheika said.
"I'm very loyal to what's happening between me and Argentina – that's my first port of call.
"I'll go down there in a couple of weeks, and we'll have a full debrief of what we did and then start making plans for the next World Cup. And then also decide what I'm going to do moving forward.
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"The original arrangement was that a young fella who I coached at length – Felipe Contepomi – he's the guy who is going to take over at some stage.
"We'll make a decision together on whether they think it's good for me to stay on in that environment or does he want to go on his own."
Cheika described the thrill of international rugby as "addictive" but was enjoying dabbling in league.
"I'm still on with the (Lebanon) Cedars and there's a World Cup that will be in Australia, I think, in 2026 before the Rugby World Cup in 2027. I'm looking forward to being involved in both of those – one way or another."
Cheika added that Australia needed to rebuild successful Super Rugby teams if the Wallabies were to start winning consistently.
"I do believe that coaching at Super Rugby level is just as important as who is coaching the Wallabies team," Cheika said.
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"That is where the players are being prepared, that's where it needs so much investment to make sure it's going well…
"Hopefully, from this they'll (RA) start to get a real understanding of the things that need attention to make the game, not just the Wallabies, get itself back on track. I am sure it will.
"I know there is a lot of negativity around but it will. Without taking anything for granted, we are getting to a regime of understanding what's required. Have a good plan and good people around and treat those people well, then things can happen.
"Things can turn around, you have to hold course and have a course to go to. That will be the next step, setting the course going forward."
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