RUGBY: No pressure on Cheika says ARU boss

Australia's rugby team coach Michael Cheika laughs during the captain's run at Twickenham stadium in London Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. Australia will play Scotland in a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal at the stadium on Sunday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Michael Cheika has been backed by the Australian Rugby Union to remain as Wallabies coach until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup at least, despite leading the team to nine losses this year.

The former New South Wales Waratahs coach signed a contract extension in May through until the global showpiece in Japan, just months after his side made last year’s final against the All Blacks. Since then, the Wallabies have been hammered 3-0 by a resurgent England at home, thrashed by the All Blacks three times and also lost to Ireland and a poor South Africa side. ARU boss Bill Pulver said the coach still had his confidence.