Michael Cheika has retained his job as Wallabies coach but will have to report to a superior and work with a three-man selection panel as part of high-performance changes imposed by Rugby Australia on Monday.
As first foreshadowed by the Herald, Scott Johnson will return home to become Australia's new director of rugby and sit above Cheika in the new hierarchy.
Welcome aboard: Scott Johnson is Australia’s new director of rugby.Credit:PA
Johnson and Cheika will join a third independent selector on a national selection panel which significantly reduces the power wielded by the incumbent head coach.
Cheika's assistants have all survived the axe – for now. However, Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle confirmed Cheika had made some "recommendations" to the board which will be discussed immediately with Johnson.
"I am excited to be returning to Rugby Australia in the Director of Rugby role and I am looking forward to supporting Michael and the Wallabies in their build up to the World Cup,” said Johnson.
"I am also looking forward to working with the Super Rugby teams to build an aligned model that will enable sustained success for Super Rugby teams, the Wallabies and ensure we maximise the opportunities for Australian Rugby."
The independent selector is due to be installed early next year.
The tweaks come in response to Australia's worst year of Test rugby in the professional era, having lost nine of 13 matches throughout a horrific 2018 campaign.
Cheika welcomed the changes, describing them in a statement from the governing body as a "great move" for Australian rugby. "I know it will prove to be the best long-term structure for the game in this country," he said.
“I’m looking forward to working with Scott and finishing the work that I started by making Australians proud of our performance.”
A former Wallabies assistant under John Connolly, Johnson has overseen Scotland's recent rugby renaissance after joining them as director of rugby five years ago. He has also served as an interim head coach on occasion.
Rugby Australia also announced it reached agreement with the four Super Rugby teams on the "principles" for an aligned national high performance model, as well as the establishment of a 'fighting fund' which will be used to help retain young talent.
"It has been a tough year for all who love rugby, and this is an important step in building a strong, successful and sustainable future for Australian Rugby and getting the Wallabies back to where they belong," said Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle.
“We are confident Michael is the right man to lead the Wallabies to the World Cup and the appointment of Scott Johnson will support Michael and his coaching team as they prepare for the tournament in Japan next September."
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