Does Wallabies coach Michael Cheika have the courage to play Quade Cooper as his No.10 in the World Cup? Those close to Cheika believe he doesn't. The memories of the disastrous 2011 World Cup campaign remain and, in spite of all the recent theatrics, Cheika is expected to stick with Bernard Foley. So the Wallabies will go into the World Cup with the same formula as the last one, which doesn’t exactly fill one with hope.

Cooper has been revitalised by his return to the Super Rugby ranks with the Rebels, after being dumped by the Reds.Last season was a fizzer for Test winger Marika Koroibete, not least because the Rebels did not know how to use him. Koroibete, who was expected to be a dominant force, was often lost or under-utilised. But, as Cooper has proved, get a good five-eighth and the opportunities will come. Cooper knows the importance of having a good finisher and he also has the ability to provide his attack with far better opportunities than they had last year. The result was clear to see when Koroibete came up with several exhilarating plays against the Brumbies, including a memorable hit and spin, to show that he is back on track. Centre Billy Meakes is also enjoying life playing alongside Cooper, to the extent that he is among the early standout Australian players.

Tech, tries and videotape

The love affair between Cheika and Rugby Australia has cooled appreciably following several seasons of failure. In his original "employment agreement", signed in October 2014, there are clues as to why Cheika has remained in the job for so long, even though his Test success rate has dipped to 48 per cent. Under the section "ending Cheika’s employment", there was a late change. It originally stated either Cheika or RA "may end Cheika’s employment at any time by giving six months' written notice". Just before the agreement was signed, that was changed to "nine months written notice". Other interesting snippets in the agreement are that "without limitation, Cheika must not coach, play or engage in activities related to New Zealand rugby" without RA’s consent, and is unable to "coach, play or engage in activities related to any other football code, including but not limited to rugby league, Australian rules and soccer". He must not "coerce, or otherwise place pressure on, an Australian professional rugby player to train or play with an injury against that player’s will". It also states that RA "uses video surveillance equipment in strategically located internal and external areas of the workplace to monitor movements. Cameras will operate continuously and surveillance will be ongoing." It continues that RA "may at any time access, monitor and record any communication or information developed, used, received, stored or transmitted by Cheika" while using RA resources. That is eerie Big Brother stuff.