Michael Cheika looks set to become the new Wallabies coach after confirming he is in negotiations with the ARU to replace Ewen McKenzie.

McKenzie resigned following Australia's 29-28 defeat to the All Blacks in Brisbane and it seems that the Waratahs coach has been sounded out as his successor.

Speaking to the media outside of the Waratahs training ground in Sydney on Monday, Cheika confirmed that he'd been offered the role, but that talks were still ongoing.

'It's a pretty humbling experience to be asked to be involved in something like that [coaching the Wallabies], but we'll see what happens,' said Cheika. 'There are a few things to be ironed out, obviously the logistics, etc. Everything is so close. So we will see how it goes and work it out from there.'

Cheika still has one year to go on his Waratahs contract, so no agreement can be reached without the union's agreement.

The Wallabies are scheduled to depart for their end-of-year tour on Friday, while their squad was set to be announced on Tuesday, before McKenzie's sudden departure.

Former Springbok and Sharks coach Jake White had been strongly linked with the role, but he seems to have missed out, with his style of play proving a major stumbling block for the ARU.

Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images