Wallabies phone announcement almost backfires

Israel Folau didn't answer the phone when former fullback Matt Burke rang to say he was in the Wallabies squad. Photo /Getty

Australian coach Michael Cheika's plan to have members of the 1999 Wallabies ring current players to tell them they made the World Cup squad slightly backfired when players didn't answer calls from anonymous numbers.

Matt Burke, fullback of the 1999 winning side, attempted to ring Israel Folau multiple times but the current fullback wouldn't answer, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Eventually Burke got teammate Kurtley Beale to call Folau and instruct him to answer the phone.

Matt Giteau almost did the same before deciding to go against his usual rule and answer a number he didn't recognise.

"I was going to brush it but then I thought "well, tonight of all nights I should answer"," Giteau said.

It was two-time World Cup winner Tim Horan.

"I got a pretty big one in Tim - a special guy obviously who achieved a lot, especially in the 1999 World Cup when they won," Giteau said.

Wallabies captain Stephen Moore was rung by 1999 skipper John Eales, who at least he had on his phone.

"I think it was a fantastic touch. John called me probably around 7.30pm last night; I had his number in my phone so I knew it was him at least," Moore said.

"It is a big honour to hear from someone like that, he's lifted the World Cup twice and that's a pretty special achievement. I think it meant a lot to him as well, to be able to connect with the current group."