Castle to press Cheika on 'external selector' to help Wallabies

Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle has raised the prospect of appointing an independent selector to help Michael Cheika lift the Wallabies in the lead-up to next year's World Cup.

Castle backed the under-fire Wallabies coach but said she wanted Cheika to outline his plan when he meets with the RA board later this month.

She said an external selector in the mould of New Zealand's Grant Fox was something the board might talk to Cheika about at the October 19 meeting.

Another perspective: Raelene Castle will ask Michael Cheika whether he would consider an independent selector for the rest of his time with the Wallabies.

Another perspective: Raelene Castle will ask Michael Cheika whether he would consider an independent selector for the rest of his time with the Wallabies. Credit:AAP

"I think there’s models around the world that you can see that mix of having a selector, head selector or working with the head coach is working well in international programs around the world," Castle told Fox Sports' Kick and Chase program on Wednesday.

"That’s certainly something that we would discuss with him, to see if that’s something that could be helpful to him.

"It’s certainly a model that’s proven to be successful elsewhere."

Cheika and the Test team returned to Australia earlier this week after restoring a measure of dignity with a stunning 38-point second-half comeback in Argentina on Saturday.

The 45-34 victory potentially spared Cheika. Although there was no appetite to sack the Super Rugby and Heineken Cup-winning coach so close to the World Cup, the RA board would have had no option but to consider it had the 31-7 half-time scoreline blown out further in the Pumas' favour.

Passion: Castle praised coach Michael Cheika's connection to the team.

Passion: Castle praised coach Michael Cheika’s connection to the team. Credit:Rugby Australia

Now that the win has bought the team, board and organisation some time and space to breathe, Castle's attention has turned to what comes next.

She told Fox Sports she expected the Wallabies repeat their 2015 World Cup performance, which saw them emerge from the so-called 'pool of death' and go all the way to the final at Twickenham.

"World Cups are different because you have a whole campaign mentality, the boys are together for an eight- or nine-week period so I think there’s a different emphasis," Castle said.

"That’s something that Michael’s proved he’s very good at, creating that team engagement and making sure everyone feels part of that environment that can prove to be successful.

"I can’t overstate the value of having been through that experience before.

"So the reality is we expect to go very, very deep into the World Cup.

"That’s certainly the expectation, that the Wallabies will be pressing late into the tournament."

Speculation has cooled over the appointment of a technical adviser such as former Test captain and Wallabies legend George Gregan. The timing of the meeting for two days before the Wallabies fly out for the third Bledisloe Cup Test and spring tour also makes it unlikely the board are seeking a refresh on Cheika's assistant coaching panel of Stephen Larkham (attack), Nathan Grey (defence), Mick Byrne (skill) and Simon Raiwalui (set piece).

Castle said she and the board wanted to know what Cheika's plan was for the next 11 months. The World Cup starts in Japan on September 20 next year.

"Michael’s got a contract through to the World Cup and a plan that he’s continued to work on to get through to that World Cup and make sure that the Wallabies are in a position to perform," she said.

"He’s the head coach and it’s his responsibility to put that plan together and he will be presenting that to the board. What is the plan? What is the plan to recognise that we can see improved performances?

"We’ve all identified the inconsistent performance but… he’s a world-class coach and he will be coming to us to present what he believes is the plan to see us deliver those consistent performances."

The win in Salta saw the Wallabies finish third in the Rugby Championship and improve their world ranking one spot to seventh, still a historic low for the Australian Test side. They next fly to Yokohama to take on the All Blacks on October 27 and from there head to Europe for three Tests, against Wales, Italy and England.

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