Michael Cheika's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 13, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Michael Cheika.

Michael Cheika is an Australian professional rugby union and rugby league coach, and former rugby union player. He is known for his passionate and demanding coaching style. He has coached at various levels, including club teams like Leinster and Stade Francais, leading Leinster to a Heineken Cup victory. Cheika coached the Australian national rugby union team (the Wallabies) from 2014 to 2019, guiding them to the final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In 2022, he took over as the coach of the Argentina national rugby team, showcasing his international coaching experience.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2001: Leinster's First Trophy Since 2001

In 07/08 Leinster won the Celtic League trophy with a bonus point 41–8 victory against the Newport Gwent Dragons. It was Cheika's first trophy as Leinster coach and Leinster's first since the 2001 Celtic League.

2001: Rod Macqueen Won World Rugby Coach of the Year

On 1 November 2015, Cheika was named 2015 World Rugby Coach of the Year, becoming the first Australian coach to win the award since Rod Macqueen in 2001.

2004: Guided Randwick to Shute Shield Victory

In 2004, Michael Cheika guided his old club, Randwick, to a Shute Shield victory, leveraging his European coaching experience.

2009: Led Leinster to Heineken Cup Victory

In 2009, Michael Cheika led Leinster to European success, guiding the team to the 2009 Heineken Cup Final where they secured a 19–16 victory over Leicester Tigers, clinching Leinster's first-ever European title.

2009: Won Heineken Cup with Leinster

In 2009, Michael Cheika won the Heineken Cup with Leinster, marking a significant achievement in his coaching career.

2009: Declan Kidney Won World Rugby Coach of the Year

On 1 November 2015, Cheika was named 2015 World Rugby Coach of the Year, becoming the first non-New Zealander coach to win it since Ireland's Declan Kidney in 2009.

2014: Coached Australia and Won Super Rugby Title

In 2014, Michael Cheika began his tenure as the coach of the Australian national rugby union team. Also in 2014, he achieved success with the New South Wales Waratahs, winning the Super Rugby title, making him the only coach to win major club competitions in both hemispheres.

2015: Victory over the All Blacks

Ahead of the Wallabies' Spring tour, Cheika led Australia to a 23–18 victory over the All Blacks in the third Bledisloe Cup of 2015. It was the first time since 2015 that the Wallabies had defeated the world champions.

2015: Won Rugby Championship

During the 2015 Rugby Championship, Michael Cheika led the Wallabies to their first-ever Rugby Championship title by winning against New Zealand, for the first time since 2010.

2015: Led Australia to Rugby World Cup Final

In 2015, Michael Cheika led Australia to the Rugby World Cup final, where they lost to New Zealand 34-17. On November 1, 2015, he was named World Rugby Coach of the Year.

2015: World Rugby Coach of the Year

In 2015, Michael Cheika received the World Rugby Coach of the Year award after leading Australia to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

2016: Cheika led Australia to second in the 2016 Rugby Championship

In 2016, Michael Cheika led Australia to second place in the Rugby Championship, overcoming an initial aggregate score deficit of 71–17 against New Zealand in the first two matches. The Wallabies secured their first win of the season against South Africa, winning 23–17, and then defeated Argentina 36–20. Despite narrowly missing a victory against South Africa in Pretoria, they triumphed over Argentina in London. In the final Bledisloe Cup on October 22, Australia were defeated 37–10. The 2016 Spring tour included a convincing win against Wales 32–8, a narrow victory over Scotland 23–22, and a win against France 25–23, but also losses to Ireland 27–24 and England 37–21.

2017: Australia's 2017 Season

In 2017, Australia started the season with a 37–14 victory over Fiji, with Cheika giving four players their international debut. The team then lost to Scotland 24–19, marking the first time Australia had lost to Scotland twice in a row at home. They secured a 40–27 victory over Italy. During the 2017 Rugby Championship, Cheika faced criticism for frequently changing match day teams. The Championship included a 54–34 loss to New Zealand, a narrow 35–29 loss in the return fixture, and two draws against South Africa (23–23 and 27–27). Australia concluded the season with a 37–20 victory against Argentina.

2019: Changes in the Australian Set-Up

In 2019, Stephen Larkham was sacked as attack coach, and a selection panel was introduced, consisting of Cheika, Scott Johnson, and Michael O'Connor. The team experienced a 35–17 loss to South Africa but later defeated Argentina 16–10 and New Zealand 47–26. Despite this, they lost 36–0 in the second Bledisloe Cup match, preventing them from reclaiming the cup for the first time since 2002.