The Sydney Roosters will be without Michael Cheika in 2027, with the former Wallabies coach set to re-unite with the NSW Waratahs as the head coach for next year, returning 12 years after their historic first Super Rugby title in 2014.
Fresh reports from the Sydney Morning Herald reveal the club is finalising a two-year deal, to which Cheika has agreed to terms, and is looking to formally announce the decision later in the week.
Cheika worked closely with the Roosters forward pack this season, while also focusing on pathway development to drive standards in the tri-colours system.
It is his second stint in Bondi after he acted in a similar consultancy role in 2020, but will now return to the 15-man code where he is most familiar.
Cheika's departure at the end of the season marks the second coach to announce their exit at the glamour club in a matter of weeks, with long-term assistant Matt King elevated to the head role for the NSW Blues in the 2027 State of Origin series.
The opportunity surfaces for Cheika to return to union after the Waratahs parted ways with Dan McKellar following a two-year stint, to which he resigned with one year remaining on his contract.
Cheika remains committed to coaching Lebanon in this year's Rugby League World Cup campaign, to which he is set to field a competitive side including Mitchell Moses, Adam Doueihi and Jason Saab.
The 59-year-old was given the head coaching role of Lebanon in November 2020, and faces formidable opponents in England and Samoa in the pool stages during the tournament in October this year.
Returning Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps spoke of the potential reunion between him and Cheika last week, who was a member of his 2014 winning side.
“He's (Cheika) obviously interested, but it's just there are a lot of things to happen before that (deal is signed),” Phipps said on Stan's Inside Line podcast.
“He's also got a lot of commitments he's already committed to as well. But he could put a real Avengers squad together there in his coaching staff if he wanted to.
"He's got a lot of a lot of good ideas, but we'll definitely have to see because it's hard, right? Like they (the Waratahs) need to announce a coach here ASAP.”
The Roosters are on the verge of the minor premiership, taking outright first place on the ladder after a thrilling 12-6 win over the Panthers.
They remain in the box seat to feature in the first week of October to send King and Cheika off with premiership glory.
