Rugby Australia have resisted the advances of South African coach Jake White, after the World Cup-winning coach tried to make a move on Michael Cheika's position as Wallabies head coach.
RA confirmed White had made an approach to the office of chief executive Raelene Castle for a ‘conversation', but the governing body moved to address media reports claiming Castle had agreed to a phone call as false.
Multiple outlets claimed Castle had agreed to a telephone hook-up with the former Brumbies and Montpellier head coach, but that has since been cancelled.
Dismissing talk of a plot to replace Cheika with White, a RA spokesperson said: “Raelene was approached by Jake for a conversation but the call as reported will not be going ahead.”
Australia coach Cheika is waiting out the storm after leading the Wallabies to their worst year in Test rugby since 1958, ending a miserable 12 months with a 37-18 thumping at the hands of Eddie Jones and England.
And while prior to the autumn internationals, which saw Australia them also lose 9-6 to Wales, Cheika received the backing of the hierachy, his position appears fragile after being summoned to RA headquarters for a debrief on a poor November.
The board will meet on December 10 to discuss changes necessary to make the Wallabies competitive at next year's World Cup in Japan.
Australia's results in 2018
June Tests
June 9: Australia 18-9 Ireland
June 16: Australia 21-26 Ireland
June 23: Australia 16-20 Ireland
Rugby Championship
August 18: Australia 13-38 New Zealand
August 25: New Zealand 40-12 Australia
September 8: Australia 23-18 South Africa
September 15: Australia 19-23 Argentina
September 29: South Africa 23-12 Australia
October 6: Argentina 34-45 Australia
Test international
October 27: Australia 20-37 New Zealand
November Tests
November 10: Wales 9-6 Australia
November 17: Italy 7-26 Australia
November 24: England 37-18 Australia
