Successful Sydney club coach Michael Cheika and not former Wallaby Rod Kafer looms as favourite to guide Western Australia's new Super 14 rugby team.

Randwick mentor Cheika is among seven "new breed" coaches the expansion team has sounded out about the prospect of moving west in the lead-up to the 2006 season.

Super 12-winning coach David Nucifora and ex-All Blacks coach John Mitchell are not in line for the job which is being viewed as a stepping stone to the Wallabies post.

Rugby WA has started the process of deciding which rising young coach will control its early fortunes after beating Melbourne in the bid to become Australia's fourth team.

The franchise will also this weekend advertise its chief executive officer and team manager positions.

While South African-born Wallabies and ACT Brumbies back Clyde Rathbone is viewed as a prime target as foundation captain, Kafer had been seen as a potential Super 12 coach in waiting.

But two seasons at the helm of underperforming English club Saracens haven't made for great application material.

Cheika is highly regarded in Australian Rugby Union circles and his stocks have risen since leading Randwick to the Sydney premiership this year.

Eastwood coach Chris Hickey, whose team was toppled by Randwick in the 2004 grand final, also has runs on the board after an immensely successful apprenticeship in club rugby.

RWA chairman Geoff Stooke confirmed Cheika, currently holidaying in London, had been approached by the new franchise and was interested in furthering his career in Perth.

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