to 6th), due to Australia (whom was in sixth, one placing above Argentina) losing at home to South Africa by more than fifteen points in the same round. In the same month (September 2022), former Australia scrum-half under Michael Cheika, Will Genia, said he could see the return of Cheika coaching Australia. Genia told Fox Sports Australia, “I can see it [Cheika returning as coach of Australia] and I would love to see it because I know he still harbours aspirations for it,” adding: “He loves coaching”. Rugby league career Coaching career Following his departure from Australian Rugby, Cheika took up a role within the National Rugby League (NRL) with Sydney Roosters Rugby League Team as assistant coach. In September 2020, the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) announced that Cheika had joined the team prior to the 2020 Tri Nations Series, taking up an advisory role and re-joining former Wallabies coaching staff, Mario Ledesma. Lebanon In November 2020, Cheika was appointed head coach for Lebanon, the country of his parents' birth, ahead of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. He retained this position even when appointed as Argentina's rugby union coach. The 2021 Rugby League World Cup was postponed to October and November 2022 and coincided with Argentina's 2022 Autumn International tour of Great Britain. Although reported as notably difficult (dual-coaching), Cheika maintained both positions. Cheika's almost entirely Lebanese Australian squad included cousin Adam Doueihi. In the group stage, Cheika's Lebanon played New Zealand, Ireland and Jamaica. Defeating the two latter teams, Lebanon finished second in the group, behind New Zealand and qualified for the Quarter-finals. Lebanon played Group B winners Australia, losing 48–4 in Huddersfield. Although maintaining their same height in the knockout stage, under Cheika Lebanon accomplished their best performance at a Rugby League World Cup (RLWC), finishing with a 2–2 record, and a point point difference of fourteen. Statistics International matches as head coach Note: World Rankings Column shows the World Ranking Australia and Argentina was placed at on the following Monday after each of their matches Record by country Australia record Argentina record Honours Australia World Rugby Coach of the Year Winner: 2015 Rugby World Cup / Webb Ellis Cup Runner-up: 2015 The Rugby Championship Winner: 2015 Runner-up: 2016, 2017, 2019 James Bevan Trophy Winner: 2014, 2016, 2017 Mandela Challenge Plate Winner: 2015, 2016, 2017,2018 Puma Trophy Winner: 2015, 2016, 2017,2018, 2019 Trophée des Bicentenaires Winner: 2016