MICHAEL Cheika has revealed he does not watch footage of opposition teams, instead leaving that research task to his assistant coaches.

The Wallabies coach will only look at edited clips of footage the week of a Test against rivals, by which time his assistants, Stephen Larkham, Nathan Grey, Mario Ledesma and Mick Byrne, have formulated plans on their opponents.

“It’s just the way we decide to work. The lads I’ve got with me coaching they’re really clever — they take the time to look at the opposition,” Cheika said.

“I don’t think there’s any point in me looking over all the same things, to second-guess them? Because I don’t trust them? I believe in those coaches.

Michael Cheika relies on assistants for game plans. Source: Getty Images

“Stephen’s a head coach, we’re banking on him being the next Australian coach and building the knowledge in him, and Nathan I’ve had from Waratahs and now here and trust him like my brother.

“Mario the same, Mick has come in and added so much into the team environment. I trust them to do that stuff.”

Cheika said his last-minute suggestions usually fell on deaf ears.

“I’ve got the odd crazy thing that comes out here or there that I suggest, they usually brush me when I suggest it. I want to pay our attention to our lads,” Cheika said.

“We’ve got a lot of guys on tour so we’ve had anywhere between 36 and 44 players and I want to give as much individual attention to guys.

Michael Cheika has trust in those around him. Source: AFP

“Not just on the field but off the field to make sure that they’re in the best possible space to play their best footy.

“This week I’ve started watching some stuff now [of Ireland] and getting a bit of a look but everything is sort of done by them.

“It’d all be just refinement and stuff like that. There’s no right way to do it it’s just the way we choose to do it.”