Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle has confirmed that under-fire Wallabies coach Michael Cheika still has the union’s full support.

Cheika has come in for criticism after a poor 2018 during which the Wallabies have won just three of their 11 Tests, including a first loss to Argentina in Australia in 35 years.

Following their latest loss, a 9-6 defeat to Wales, there has been speculation that Cheika could be fighting for his job in the next Test against Italy this Saturday.

However, Castle has reassured Cheika of his job security as his contract only expires after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

‘We’ve said that publicly and we continue to support that stance,’ Castle told the media in Europe. ‘There is a review at the end of every year. There’s no doubt that that’s become even more important because of our performances.

‘But the review will identify the areas we need to focus on as we move towards that very important World Cup next year.

‘You know the effort’s there, you know the focus is there. It was a tremendous arm-wrestle [against Wales] that could have gone either way. I know no one is more frustrated than the players themselves and they’ll be looking to turn that around this weekend.’

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