World Cup 2019: Michael Cheika needs a cohesive unit functioning to cover loss of Israel Folau

Let’s face it, if you’re an international side coming up against the Wallabies at this year’s World Cup, you are not exactly going to be scared witless by an outfit without Israel Folau, writes Andrew Slack.

One advantage of being tucked away recently in a somewhat remote part of the UK has been the freedom from an onslaught of opinion on Israel Folau.

Admittedly, I’d chucked in my two pence worth early on in the controversy, but the discussion now seems to have gone to a whole new level, well above my pay scale.

Everyone I’ve spoken to since my return appears to be completely worn out by the whys, wherefores and outrage which sits on both sides of the Folau fence. I don’t wish to, add to the continuing debate but on the subject of actual rugby — remember that? — a suggestion during the week that the Wallabies’ performance could potentially be better without Folau, caught my eye.

Head coach Michael Cheika will need to get the Wallabies operating as a cohesive unit at the upcoming World Cup.

I don’t buy it, nor do I believe would many others.

If results are your only marker, the Australian cricket team was not a better outfit in the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, and while it couldn’t be said Folau is worth two men, even his harshest critic would have to admit that, at his best, he is world class.

World class (as in World XV level) players are a commodity in short supply for Australia so it is hard to pretend he won’t be missed.

Without Folau and the usual number of other injured certainties such as David Pocock, the first Wallabies playing squad of this World Cup year looks a solid and predictable enough bunch.

If you’re another international side, let’s face it, you are not scared witless. Respectful, sure, but not exactly shaking in your boots.

After far too long a period in which Wallabies coaches have had all the say in selection matters, the newly constructed three-man panel, have done what they needed to — rewarded consistency of form.

Super Rugby performances from all four teams didn’t give them a river of gold on which to go fishing but it would be hard to argue too vehemently against any of the inclusions in the 34-man outfit.

It is now Michael Cheika’s job to ensure he turns reasonable individual Super Rugby form into international standard teamwork, so that the lack of superstars is made up for by a strong skills foundation and a unity of purpose.

In recent seasons, Cheika’s teams have rarely been threatening but they’ve never been easy to beat.

He needs to get the threat happening. Cheika said the absence of Folau and his instinctive try-scoring ability means a need for greater support play, better alignment, better hands and catching.

I’d have thought even with Folau, they’d have all been requirements from an international side, but the evidence from past seasons is that Australian teams have fallen away in those areas.

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Israel Folau’s absence has to have an impact on the Wallabies.

If no Folau means all those skills are suddenly improved, then we might wonder why he wasn’t moved on earlier!

Apart from bouncing ideas off sets of eyes that aren’t stuck in the bubble that surrounds you in a Wallabies team, Cheika may have gained other benefits from his discussions with fellow selectors Michael O’Connor and Scott Johnson.

While I’m sure some of their chats would have been — as they say in political circles — robust, they might also have helped Cheika relax.

An overly tense coach is a disaster for a team, so its pleasing that he has seen the new shared selection process in a positive light.

“I think we’ve come up with a better outcome than maybe if I was picking it by myself,” he said.

Now, there’s an admission!

Perhaps Reds coach Brad Thorn may take heed.

Apparently he dismissed the ­notion of sharing selection duties with outside influences in the season just gone. As RA did with Cheika, It could be time his employers don’t give him an option.

Michael Cheika directs traffic at a Wallabies training session.

Originally published as World Cup 2019: Michael Cheika needs a cohesive unit functioning to cover loss of Israel Folau