Michael Cheika confirmed with a new job in Japan

After a few weeks of open speculation, Michael Cheika has been formally named as Director of Rugby at NEC Green Rockets (which is where Alex Goode went on loan). The press release is in Japanese, aprt from these words from Cheika:

I am very excited to be joining NEC in this new role. Together with the company, the coaches and the players we will aspire to bring back the DNA of the NEC Green Rockets to bring pride and enjoyment to the whole NEC community. I look forward to working hard together with everyone to orchestrate a brighter world for NEC rugby and rugby in Japan.

While Green Rockets have been champions in the distant past, they have propping up the table in recent years, so this is a statement of intent.