Michael Cheika has been appointed Wallabies coach.

Cheika’s appointment was confirmed by Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver in Sydney on Wednesday following several days of negotiations since Ewen McKenzie resigned after last Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test loss to New Zealand in Brisbane.

He will have to hit the ground running as the Wallabies are scheduled to fly to Europe on Friday for their five-match tour, which includes a game against the Barbarians and Tests against Wales, France, Ireland and England.

Cheika, who guided the NSW Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title this year, has less than a year to work with the Wallabies before the World Cup in Britain.