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Pulver backs Cheika after poor season

Sydney - Australia coach Michael Cheika is not in danger of losing his job, despite losing nine Tests in 2016, says ARU boss Bill Pulver.

Pulver has backed Cheika to coach the Wallabies until after the 2019 World Cup at least. Cheika signed a contract extension with the ARU in May which took his current deal through to the World Cup in Japan.

Australia lost four Tests to England this season, three of them at home, and were also beaten by the All Blacks three times as well as South Africa and Ireland.

However, Pulver pledged his support to Cheika and said the coach still had his backing.

"Believe me, Michael Cheika is under no pressure. None whatsoever," Pulver told reporters in Perth on Wednesday according to Reuters, where he confirmed the city would host its first Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks in 2019.

"He's the coach through to 2019, and there's no one better to do the job."

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