Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will travel to Europe for some pre‑World Cup research at the opening round of the Six Nations but will not meet with soon‑to‑be boss Scott Johnson.
Cheika will watch Wales play France in Paris on Saturday then head to Dublin for the Ireland vs England blockbuster on Sunday.
But he and Johnson, who will come together in March to try to resurrect Australia's test performance leading into this year's World Cup, will not be catching up over a coffee or beer.
New Wallabies director of rugby Scott Johnson wants to focus on his role with Scotland before meeting Cheika.
As Scotland's director of rugby, Johnson will be at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for his side's test against Italy. But until the 56‑year‑old formally relinquishes the role and moves back to Sydney to take up the same position with the Wallabies, he is understood to be eager to keep his distance from the Australian set‑up.
With the World Cup starting less than six months after his arrival, high on his list of priorities will be the composition of Cheika's support and back‑room staff, plus the appointment of a third selector to join him and Cheika at the table in the lead‑up to the Rugby Championship this year.
[Source : Sydney Morning Herald]
