LONDON: New Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says "it wouldn't be right of me" to focus on Kurtley Beale's contract uncertainty as he prepares for his first game as Australia's mentor.
Beale's future is still up in the air as the ARU investigates his mid-air incident with former team business manager Di Patston.
Cheika has previously stated his intent to keep Beale in Australian rugby despite the troubled stars off-field dramas and the NSW Waratahs are trying to re-sign the Super Rugby championship-winning playmaker.
But on tour with the Wallabies in Europe, Cheika said: "Contract negotiations haven't been my forte at the moment.
"There's so much going on, he's back [in Australia] training … my focus is over here and getting the team ready. I'm really genuine about that.
"Between the jet lag, getting organised, how we're going to play as a team … It wouldn't be right of me to think about contracting and down the track.
"I'm not a big believer in 'let's prepare for down the road or the World Cup'. Every Test match is a big day … I want to get things happening for the now. All the planning can be done underneath and work in the dark, be a bit quieter on that."
Beale was found guilty at a code of conduct hearing last week and fined $45,000 after he sent a lewd text message about Patston.
The ARU said it would re-open negotiations with the controversial Wallaby and the Waratahs, who will also be coached by Cheika next year, are keen to get a deal done.
Cheika said Beale could still join the Wallabies on tour, but there are no immediate plans to draft him into the squad.
"It's just like Tatafu Polota-Nau and Wycliff Palu, I'll check in with those players along the way and decide as we go along. There are no special cases or scenarios, just normality," Cheika said.
Meanwhile, Wallabies World Cup hopeful James O'Connor said he had not spoken to Cheika but that he still wants to be a part of Australia's plans for the tournament next year.
O'Connor has been playing for Toulon after being sacked by the ARU last year.
"Whatever happens, I want to be the best and work hard to find the selection for the World Cup," O'Connor told EPCrugby.com.
"That is why I returned to Australia. I talked with Ewen McKenzie before deciding to come back and it was on track to me. Now there is a new coach. I have not had a call yet."
Cheika has tinkered with the Wallabies line-up to play the Barbarians, but says the team which suffered a last-minute loss to the All Blacks two weeks ago is likely to get another chance against Wales next week.
"But the opportunity is open for some players to force their way back into the Test team. A good performance this week will put pressure on me," Cheika said.
