Rugby Australia CEO prefers homegrown Cheika replacement

Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle has said she would prefer an Australian to succeed the incumbent Michael Cheika at the helm of the Wallabies.

Earlier in the week Cheika suggested that he would step away from his role as head coach if Australia fail to win next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.

"He said that if he didn't win, he wouldn't be there, so when he wins he might be there so we're not sure," Castle said according to AAP.

"I've had some conversations with Michael about his plans going forward.

"We have some plans and some internal review of the coaching talent available both from an Australian perspective and internationally."

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Former Netball New Zealand and Canterbury Bulldogs CEO Castle was asked if she would prefer an Australian candidate if Cheika were to stand down.

She responded, "I think you would be crazy not to think about all of the coaching talents out there, there's no doubt that an Australian coach is what we would prefer to have".

She also added that she will take Cheika's opinion on board when searching for a replacement.

"When you've had a coach that's coached at that many levels or such a long period of time as Michael has, you'd be crazy not to think about his opinion," Castle said.