New Wallabies coach Michael Cheika negotiated a much-improved deal © Getty Images

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Michael Cheika has succeeded in becoming the Wallabies coach under his own terms, forcing the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to dramatically improve its original offer.

After days of negotiations, which stalled several times due to differences of opinion between Cheika and ARU over numerous issues, the New South Wales Waratahs Super Rugby title-winning coach has got virtually everything that he wanted.

The only obvious difference is that while Cheika originally sought a five-year deal, which included coaching the Wallabies to the next two World Cups, he has finally agreed on a three-year contract, ending on December 31, 2017.

Elsewhere the ARU board has bent over to ensure it secured Cheika, including allowing him to continue coaching the Waratahs next season.

Cheika has succeeded in forcing the ARU to increase its original base salary offer by around 20 per cent. He also has an alluring incentive package that involves six-figure sums for winning Test series, domestic Test series, the Bledisloe Cup, the Rugby Championship and next year's Rugby World Cup. Even achieving an unbeaten Spring Tour over the next month will see Cheika receiving a substantial 'bonus payment'.

Cheika has the potential of earning at least $1million per season if he can bring the Wallabies back on track in time for next year's World Cup tournament and the following season (2016). From what the ARU is offering, it is clear it is desperate for any bit of silverware to put in its barren trophy cabinet.

The termination period was also a sticking point, and has been extended by several months. Cheika will also be directly involved in the appointment of all those who work with him at the Wallabies level.

There were also hiccups in the process as Cheika, who has deep reservations about the capabilities of ARU chief executive Bill Pulver, wanted another ARU director to be involved in the negotiations. Cheika has made it known that it is up to Pulver to gain the coach's trust. That could be difficult.

However Pulver, after endless bungles, the latest senselessly blaming the Australian public for the demise of Ewen McKenzie, is under enormous pressure to hold onto his position, as are several under-performing members of the ARU board. Pulver, who described himself over the weekend as 'the custodian of the code', has failed to come up with any answers as Australian Rugby lurches from one disaster to the next.

Those who appointed Pulver, including ARU chairman Michael Hawker and board member John Eales, are also under deep scrutiny. Former National Bank managing director and ARU board member Cameron Clyne is already being mentioned as a favoured candidate to replace Hawker as ARU chairman. Hawker is understood to be pursuing higher office at the International Rugby Board. Several influential officials at provincial level are calling for a mass cleanout of the ARU board.

Also causing problems during the ARU negotiations was that Cheika is still furious that a suspended six-month ban is hovering over him, after being found guilty of abusing a sideline cameraman during the match between the Waratahs and Sharks in Durban in March. He received a ban, which was suspended until August 31, 2015. But he will be immediately suspended before that date if he is deemed to have once more breached SANZAR's code of conduct.

Is this the start of a beautiful friendship between Bill Pulver (l) and Michael Cheika? © Getty Images

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Cheika has for some time been seething about the SANZAR judicial process, believing that he was unable to properly deliver his case. Legal action against SANZAR was at one stage being considered by Cheika. Cheika's relationship with high-ranking SANZAR officials is dismal, because he believed that he was unfairly maligned during the proceedings. This even prompted Waratahs players and team officials to clearly snub one high-ranking SANZAR official during their Super Rugby finals celebrations several months ago.