Rugby: Israel Folau backs Kurtley Beale, endorses Michael Cheika

Speaking after winning the prestigious John Eales Medal for Wallabies player of the year, Folau openly admitted he wants to see Beale reinstated.

As the rest of the Wallabies squad, including Folau, are flying to England for the Spring tour on Friday, Beale will be fronting a hearing over alleged text messages he sent about former team business manager Di Patston.

His career in Australian rugby will almost certainly come to a premature end if found guilty, but Folau hopes his New South Wales and Australia team-mate's Wallabies tenure is not over.

"For me on a personal point as a player I really enjoy having Kurtley alongside the team environment and I've really enjoyed my time playing with him," Folau said.

"I've formed a really good combination with him at the Waratahs and also through Wallabies level so for me I'd like to obviously see him back in the team environment.

"But obviously there's a process that has to go on and whatever happens is totally out of my control so it's something for me that I can't worry about.

"I haven't spoken to Kurtley in a while now so I think most people would want to give him his time, he's had a bit of a tough time the last couple of weeks but I hope he's going really well."

Meanwhile, Folau gave a glowing endorsement of new Wallabies coach Cheika, who was announced as Ewen McKenzie's replacement on Wednesday.

"He's definitely up there with the guys I've been coached by, with obviously (Melbourne Storm coach) Craig Bellamy and (Queensland coach) Mal Meninga at State of Origin level," Folau said.

"Cheik has the same amount of passion and they all bring it in a different way so I think the guys that don't know Cheik will really enjoy being coached by him over the next month or so.

"With Cheik coming on board now it's a whole different demeanour for the guys that don't know him but I think for me I really know Cheik as a person so not too worried about anything and I think going away will be the best thing for the team."

Asked if the Wallabies can have immediate success under Cheika on their five-week tour against the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England, a confident Folau replied: "I think anything's possible really.

"Last year was obviously disappointing when we lost that game to England but I think going away now with the group that we have I think we can definitely get the job done.

"In saying that every week is going to be tough."