Wallabies coach Michael Cheika challenges World Cup hopefuls as Brumbies launch season

Cheika has blooded 27 new Wallabies in the past two years, but says it's time to consolidate his squad to build cohesion before the World Cup in Japan next year.

That means players have no time to waste if they want to force their way on to Cheika's radar, starting with the opening round of Super Rugby this weekend.

ACT Brumbies Isi Naisarani, Tom Banks, Chance Peni, Rob Valetini and Richie Arnold have all emerged as future international contenders.

They will get their chance to shine when all five join the Brumbies' starting XV for a clash against the Japan Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.

The returning Christian Lealiifano has also caught Cheika's contention, while budding hooker Folau Faingaa was invited into Wallabies camp at the end of last year despite being yet to make his Super Rugby debut.

Lealiifano is making a full-time Super Rugby comeback after being diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2016. His recovery put his Wallabies career on hold, but the door is open for a return.

"Everyone player is on the radar, that goes without saying. Christian - we'd be very, very keen for him to play at a level to see him back in gold colours," Cheika said.

"But that's going to be up to him, getting his form right and then get his team right as well. That leadership element will play a role, too.

"I think there is a really good young crew of players roaming around in Australian rugby right now, it's up to us and them together to get that level coming through.

"It's been showing itself in our team in the last couple of years, we've had a lot of debutants. It's on the cards for a couple more this year, but maybe not as many as we look to consolidate a group to go through this year and the World Cup."

Cheika was in Queanbeyan on Friday as a guest at the Whites' bi-annual gentlemen's lunch at the Royal Hotel.

He will return numerous times this season as Wallabies coaches lend their expertise to Australia's Super Rugby franchises in the hope of creating a more cohesive approach to winning games.

The fact Cheika was rubbing shoulders with grass-roots rugby people - as he regularly does around the country - shows game is trying to move in the right direction after a horror year on and off the field last season.

"I think we really care about getting the game united again and that's how it's been the last few years," Cheika said.

"Once we start talking about it a bit more, not being scared about it, and having [Wallabies assistant coaches] in Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey on full-time ... it's just getting involved more."

Cheika was excited to see teenage powerhouse Valetini make his Super Rugby debut against the Sunwolves, but was wary of putting too much expectation on the 19-year-old.

Fijian-born Naisarani will become eligible for the Wallabies next year, while Peni and Banks are on the radar as back-line X-factors.

SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE

Saturday: Japan Sunwolves v ACT Brumbies at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo, 3.15pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.

Brumbies: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Chance Peni, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Isi Naisarani, 7. Tom Cusack, 6. Rob Valetini, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Richie Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Rory Arnold, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Wharenui Hawera, 23. Lausii Taliauli.

Sunwolves: 15. Jason Emery, 14. Lomano Lemeki, 13. Timothy Lafaele, 12. Ryoto Nakamura, 11. Hosea Saumaki, 10. Robbie Robinson, 9. Yutaka Nagare, 8. Willie Britz, 7. Pieter Lappies Labuschagne, 6. Kazuki Himeno, 5. Grant Hattingh, 4. Sam Wykes, 3. Jiwon Koo, 2. Shota Horie, 1. Keita Inagaki. Reserves: Java Bregvadze, 17. Craig Miller, 18. Asaeli Ai Valu, 19. James Moore, 20. Ed Quirk, 21. Fumiaki Tanaka, 22. Hayden Parker, 23. Sione Teaupa.