Israel Folau decision helps Wallabies’ focus

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has told how the Israel Folau controversy threatened to derail Australia’s World Cup campaign and “something had to give”.

In front of 350-strong audience on Friday, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika addressed the

Randwick Rugby annual lunch at Dockside, Cockle Bay.

At the lunch, Cheika conceded that it was unfortunate Israel Folau has been lost to Australian rugby.

Michael Cheika speaking at the Randwick Rugby Club's annual lunch. Picture: Ric Mclallen

Only a few years ago, Cheika pulled off the biggest coups to convince superstar Israel Folau

to join the Waratahs. It was also with Folau in the team that Cheika celebrated the

Waratah’s drought-breaking Super Rugby triumph in 2014.

Cheika admitted in April that it would be difficult to pick Folau again after his

controversial social media posts.

He said: “It’s pretty easy from my point of view. It’s something I’ve learnt from here.”

“So for all those guys sitting up the end there in their team kit getting ready to play, one

thing I’ve learnt here is the team’s king.

“When you come to Randwick, you come to play the Randwick style and you are no bigger than the team and we had some big names in our team and they all did everything for the team.”

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika looks at Israel Folau during a media conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2015. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

Cheika expressed disappointment over Folau’s headlines this year, which may have

overshadowed the Waratah’s campaign leading into the World Cup this year.

Cheika said: “I’ve had a good relationship with Israel for a long time now. The only

thing for me is the team had to concentrate on the game.”

Israel Folau is unlikely to score more tries for Australia. Picture: Shaun Botterill

He emphasised that the focus has to be on winning the next game and building for the World Cup as a team.

“Once that focus is not there completely, you have to make the sacrifices to make

the team the number one focus.

“The team is the most important thing and anything that can distract a team from achieving its goals, you have to deal with it one way or another.”

“It is unfortunate how it ended up but something had to give in that situation.”