Cheika's choice is anyone's guess

The Waratahs were chopped from their titled perch by the marauding Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

When defeat cuts the gizzard out of Australian sport they move quickly to another topic.

It's been like that since the Waratahs were chopped from their titled perch by the marauding Highlanders and the majority of the 32,632-strong crowd vented on the way home and then switched to talk about the Wallabies.

That approach is similar to the Michael Cheika template - coach the Tahs until they fall over in the Super 15 then move on to work with the Wallabies, who open up against the Boks in Brisbane on July 18.

First of all he's got to settle on a captain.

He went for Stephen Moore last year before he was hurt and the duties were transferred to Michael Hooper.

Another former skipper, David Pocock, is back in the mix and also slugging it out with Hooper to start as openside.

History suggests Cheika will be reluctant to start Pocock and Hooper together but he may try that as a shock tactic in one of the side's internationals before the World Cup.

Like the Blues, Cheika has a selection problem with the spine of the side at No8, halfback and first five-eighths.

Does he go for the Waratahs combo of Wycliff Palu, Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley he knows all too well? Or does he use these matches to sift the other contenders for that crucial spine in the team?

There are enough of them. Scott Higginbotham, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson, Ita Vaea or George Smith are No8 contenders, while Will Genia, Nick White, Nic Stirzaker and at a pinch, utility Matt Giteau, are halfbacks in the frame.

First five-eighths is littered with choice. Foley, Quade Cooper, Giteau, Christian Leali'ifano and Matt Toomua can all play this role and several will also be frontrunners to move out a place as well.

Some time this week Cheika is expected to announce a 35-man squad and it seems Giteau, Smith and Drew Mitchell, who are based in Europe, will be included. Cheika has spoken to the trio and they are all fit.

"They'll be considered for selection for the first game," Cheika said.

How well others fare will be of interest even across this side of the Ditch as we wait to hear the fate of former Chiefs prop Toby Smith, who has been in strong form for the Rebels.

Will there be a recall for James O'Connor, who returned to the Reds this season where he made little impact?

O'Connor is very skilled, but positions have been filled since his exile and it's hard to know where he fits.

Former skipper James Horwill's retention must also be marginal, although his test experience and the lack of other senior locks will help his cause.