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Michael Cheika plans to step down if Australia don't win the World Cup

Michael Cheika and Australia will take on Scotland this weekend
Image: Michael Cheika led Australia to the 2015 World Cup final

Australia coach Michael Cheika says he will walk away at the end of his contract if the Wallabies don't win the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Cheika took Australia to the final of the last tournament in 2015 and believes anything less than a victory in Yokohama, Japan on November 2 next year would represent a lack of progress.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "The way I see it is like this, we came second in the last one and you have got to improve.

"So there is only winning the World Cup, otherwise it is probably somebody else's opportunity to do it.

 Sekope Kepu is shown a red card
Image: Sekope Kepu was sent off as Australia were thrashed 53-24 by Scotland last autumn

"What I would like to do in the interim is leave enough legacy in there so that person has the best possible chance to do it as well."

Cheika took over from Ewen McKenzie in 2014 and won the World Rugby coach of the year award after Australia's run to the World Cup final the following season.

But the Wallabies have struggled at times since then as Cheika has overhauled his squad in preparation for 2019, introducing a host of new players to international rugby.

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The Wallabies have won 24 of his 45 matches in charge, including a victory over the world champion All Blacks in Brisbane last year.

New Zealand players celebrate victory as Australia's Rob Simmons (centre) stands dejected during the Rugby World Cup Final at Twickenham, London.
Image: The Wallabies lost to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup final at Twickenham

Cheika says he had been focused on creating the structures to ensure long-term success for his country during his time in the job.

He added: "I want to be up in the stand in the future, watching Australia play and watching them kill it and play well.

"I think people think that's garbage sometimes, that I say that, but that's genuine.

"So, in a World Cup, that's a good chance to leave, and to leave behind the legacy that you've built in the interim.

"That's the target, you have to do better. And doing better is coming first."

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