Australia extend David Pocock, Kurtley Beale contracts

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika wants to turn hopers into believers for Australia’s Rugby World Cup campaign and has consulted several of his predecessors to ensure their preparations are thorough.

The voting period for this year’s medal took in the Tests from the 2014 spring tour to the second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand earlier this month.

Melbourne Rebels star McMahon followed up his haul of three awards last year by being named Wallabies rookie of the year.

Cheika stressed Australia were still working on improving in a number of areas heading into their World Cup pool opener against Fiji in Cardiff on September 23.

“I am very passionate about the Wallabies’ jersey and representing this country”, Pocock said via a statement on the ARU’s website.

“Without all of their support and faith in me, I wouldn’t have this opportunity to continue my career and do what I love”.

Beale has had disciplinary problems in the past, including a $40,000 fine previous year for sending an offensive photograph by text to a former team business manager.

“Tactically, we would have to establish whether it made sense for us if it was opened up to go in”, he said adding that South Africa are also desperate to host.

“There are some special things happening here at the Wallabies and I am really enjoying being part of this group as it continues to build its identity over the next few seasons”.

“This season, I haven’t scored as many tries and a lot of people have been talking about I haven’t been playing as good”.

Folau, who was Australia’s youngest ever global rugby league player and has also tried his hand in the AFL, has appeared in every Wallabies Test since he debuted against the British and Irish Lions in 2013.

Both Beale and Pocock depart on Saturday with their Wallabies team-mates for a Test against the USA in Chicago next weekend ahead of the Rugby World Cup which begins in England on September 18.