Michael Cheika met with Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Tuesday, raising speculation the former Australia boss is among candidates to succeed Joe Schmidt at the helm of the Wallabies.

Former Australian boss Michael Cheika met with Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh on Tuesday, raising speculation he is among candidates to succeed Joe Schmidt at the helm of the Wallabies.

Joe Schmidt has made a call on his Wallabies position as head coach, set to depart the post after the Rugby Championship. Schmidt was initially contracted until the British and Irish Lions but will stay the extra months as the side moves into the new era, ironically beginning with a Test against Eddie Jones' Japan, the man Schmidt replaced

Joe Schmidt has agreed to continue as head coach of the Wallabies until after the 2025 Rugby Championship to allow Rugby Australia time to recruit a replacement.

Australian rugby fans have made it clear they like the Wallabies, but sentiment towards Rugby Australia remains low.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt will step down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship, with Australia announcing Thursday they would immediately begin the search for his successor. The 59-year-old New Zealander’s original contract had been due to expire at the end of the British and Irish Lions tour in early August.

Former Leinster head coach Michael Cheika met with Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Tuesday, raising speculation the former Australia boss is among candidates to succeed Joe Schmidt at the helm of the Wallabies.

Michael Cheika remains in the mix to return for a second stint as Wallabies coach after meeting with Rugby Australia's boss.

Australia have been forced to head to market and look for their fifth head coach in six years after Joe Schmidt decided to walk away from the top job towards the end of the year. So, who will replace him?