'Get on the phone': Legend calls for Michael Cheika return after Waratahs part ways with Darren Coleman
Wallabies legend Tim Horan has urged the Waratahs to waste no time in sending Michael Cheika an SOS to rescue the ailing NSW club.
The Waratahs are officially back in the coaching market after announcing on Monday that Darren Coleman would not be offered a contract extension at the end of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
NSW are in last place with a 2-10 record and two games remaining.
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Michael Cheika of Argentina speaks to the media at Stade Velodrome. Getty
France-based Cheika is available for work after parting ways with Argentina after guiding them to the semi-finals of last year's Rugby World Cup.
He is the only coach to have delivered the Waratahs a Super Rugby title by famously beating the Crusaders in the final a decade ago.
Waratahs chief executive Paul Doorn said on Tuesday that the coaching hunt had started but he had not yet spoken to Cheika.
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Waratahs chief executive Paul Doorn with outgoing coach Darren Coleman. NSW Waratahs
"If they haven't made a call to Michael Cheika, get on the phone, ask Michael Cheika, are you interested?" Horan said on Stan Sport's Rugby Heaven.
"Nathan Grey, obviously with the Aussie (under) 20s is doing a good job. Kevin Foote, does he still stay around the Rebels?
"And then you've got to spread the net wide offshore. There's going to be some coaches offshore, that we probably don't really understand what they want to do... potentially come to the Waratahs to coach?"
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Former NSW star Grey has previously worked under Cheika with both the Waratahs and Wallabies as his defence coach.
Horan said a reunion made a lot of sense.
"I reckon the best choice if he was available, Michael Cheika for two years, to then bring through someone like a Nathan Grey, for two years, to then be head coach...
Michael Cheika talks with Nathan Grey during a training session in 2015. Getty
"For the broadcaster and also for the fans, the majority of our fans want to see a successful Waratahs team. They need to find a new coach in the next 6-8 weeks. You need to have that coach in place really quickly so then that coach could have their fingerprints all over the side for next year.
"But I also think they need a GM of rugby to help that roster. You get a good roster around an experienced coach with some other coaches coming through - the Waratahs could be anything."
Horan said Coleman had initially done a good job in reengaging Waratahs fans in year one but shocking results this season had made his position untenable.
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"It was always going to happen... year three, he's been a bit of a disaster really," Horan said.
"He's probably a better assistant coach than he is a head coach and some coaches are like that.
"Maybe go offshore, UK Premiership, go to France, go and be an assistant coach for a long period of time and then maybe come back."
