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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

Michael Cheika and Joe Schmidt in frame to replace Eddie Jones as Australia coach

Michael Cheika will be among the candidates to replace Eddie Jones as Australia boss after leaving Argentina.

Cheika led the Pumas to a fourth-place finish at the World Cup in France, but has now stepped down.

Felipe Contepomi has moved up to head coach on Cheika's departure, with the Pumas' succession planning paying dividend.

Cheika's availability has already alerted Australia, with Wallabies bosses having no qualms about appointing the former Leinster and Stade Francais boss for a second stint in charge of his home nation.

Cheika coached Australia between 2019 and 2019, leading the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final in England.

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt is another coach on Australia's radar, as the Wallabies look to rebuild in the wake of Jones' destructive exit to Japan.

Former England boss Jones repeatedly denied links to the Japan job while at the World Cup in France with Australia.

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is also in the frame (AP)

The 63-year-old had signed a deal to stay with the Wallabies until the 2027 World Cup, but has walked away and taken a second stint at the Japan helm instead.

Australia have been forced to rejig their entire executive set-up in the wake of Jones' acrimonious departure.

While the Wallabies are prepared to take their time for the right appointment, both Cheika and Schmidt are early names in the frame.

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