Few nations take the sport of Rugby Union as seriously as Australia, which is why when in October the Wallabies were dispatched 40 – 16 by England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Japan this year, Aussie rugby fans were left stunned and speechless.

Many bookmakers had the Wallabies as one of the big betting favourites and not just because of their strong and skilful line up of players, but because of the man at the helm - coach Michael Cheika – who many thought would take the team all the way.

Many hoped a RWC victory would be the swansong of the 52-year-old as his contract was set to expire soon after the tournament. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be for the Australian-born player and coach who had overseen the Wallabies since 2014.

Cheika Faced an Onslaught of Criticism
In fact, what was supposed to be Cheika's crowning achievement turned into his own personal Waterloo. Instead of returning to a hero's welcome, he instead retuned to an onslaught of criticism, putting paid to any hopes of him renewing his contract.

Even Raelene Castle, chief of Rugby Australia and the person ultimately responsible for hiring and firing national rugby coaches, didn't escape the heat when local rugby fans accused her of keeping Cheika around long after his 'best by date.'

So after confirmation of his departure as head coach of the Australian national rugby side, the million dollar question has become who will replace Cheika and hopefully have what it takes to take Australia all the way in the 2023 RWC to be hosted in France?

Betting lines have even sprung up on a variety of premier Australian online betting sites, and some online casinos are even getting in on the action with sports-themed slots like those on this Australian site with unbiased reviews of the best AU online casinos.

Could Dave Rennie Coach the Wallabies?
There is as much speculation as to who'll be appointed to the prestigious position and one of the frontrunners is New Zealand native and current Glasgow Warriors coach, Dave Rennie. Many believe he has what it takes to lead the Wallabies to RWC glory.

If signed up by Rugby Australia, the Kiwi is widely expected to be given a 4-year contract at least to ensure that he is in charge during the next Rugby World Cup.

When quizzed about the interest shown in him, Rennie confirmed that while interested in moving Down Under for the foreseeable future, he is also committed to his current team until at least June 2020, and had not signed anything with Rugby Australia.

Former Ireland Coash Joe Schmidt in the Running
Another name being thrown around is Joe Schmidt, the former head coach of the Irish national rugby team. Born in New Zealand, the 54-year-old became a citizen of Ireland in 2015. Under his tenure he took the Irish team to new heights and even higher expectations coming into the 2019 RWC.

Unfortunately those expectations remained unfulfilled when they were dispatched 46 -14 by the All Blacks in the quarter finals. But now that his contract has come to an end with Ireland, he is a free agent and despite the RWC loss he still delivered three Six Nations titles and the Grand Slam in 2018 during his six years with the side.

As such Rugby Australia will be eyeing Schmidt out on account of his impressive track record of turning the fortunes of Ireland around. There are even claims the coach may even have been in talks with Rugby Australia ahead of the RWC, but they are largely unsubstantiated.

Most Aussie Rugby Fans Want an Australian Coach
However, international calibre rugby union coaches like Rennie and Schmidt could face a 'roadblock' with regards to the Wallabies appointment, Which is that both hail from New Zealand.

It is no secret that many rugby fans in Australia want another 'Australian born and bred' coach (like Cheika) to lead the Wallabies into glory moving forward.

This mind set among Aussie fans is just one of the reasons why retired Australian rugby union footballer Stephen Larkham and former assistant coach of the Wallabies is also being considered for the national coaching position. Despite being fired by Cheika in early 2019, he reportedly had a good rapport with the players, as well as their respect.

The 45-year-old is a lot younger than many of the other potential candidates, but that has nothing to do with coaching style or results.

Rassie Erasmus Lead the Springboks to Victory Aged Just 47
As proof of this look no further than Rassie Erasmus, the 47-year-old former player and coach who lead South Africa to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. In that match the Springboks trounced the Lions 32 – 12 to take owner of the Webb Ellis trophy for the next four years.

Just two years younger than Erasmus, Larkham is not short or job offers having recently secured the position of senior coach with respected Irish club Munster until June 2022. There he'll work alongside head coach Johann van Graan and defence coach JP Ferreira, both from South Africa.

A big reason why Larkham is one of the betting favourites to be signed up for the big job is that he was a first class player in his own right, representing the Wallabies from 1997 until 2007, and even playing in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups.

Could Felix Jones Coach the Wallabies
Another relative youngster who might just have caught the attention of Rugby Australia at just 32 is former Munster coach Felix Jones. The Irishman was a promising player in Ireland until a neck injury ended his career early on. However, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the young Irishman has since made a name for himself in coaching circles.

Most recently he was attached to the South African national rugby squad working under Rassie Erasmus as a defence consultant ahead of and during the 2019 RWC.

His tenure with the current Rugby World Cup champions will forever be etched on his CV and may even propel him forward to the Wallabies job – that is if the Australians can come to terms with an Irishman coaching their national rugby union side.

That's a Try
Who will be appointed new head coach of the Australian Wallabies is anyone's guess at this juncture, but if it turns out to be any of the gentlemen mentioned above remember where you saw it first.