Israel Folau was the mystery Wallabies player who put Michael Cheika in hospital and forced him to have a shoulder operation just days out from the spring tour.

Cheika has kept quiet on who did the damage at Wallabies training two weeks ago on the Monday leading into the All Blacks fixture at Eden Park.

While Cheika showed no signs of pain during that week, he was was advised to undergo shoulder surgery in the days before Australia departed for Europe with a grand slam in their sights.

Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's arm was in a sling when he and wife Stephanie Cheika arrived at the John Eales Medal awards night in Sydney on Thursday.

Cheika did not leave with the team on Friday, instead opting to go a day later, understood to be because of the pain he was still in.

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He did, however, make an appearance at the John Eales Medal on Thursday evening in Sydney, sharing light-hearted banter with emcee Sandra Sully on stage.

It was on this same night that reserve Wallabies halfback Nick Frisby let slip the secret as to who injured Cheika during a live-stream on rugby.com.au that was not broadcast to those in the room.

"Cheik's not telling anyone who hurt his shoulder," said former Wallabies hooker Adam Freier, who was conducting the interview. "Was it any of you blokes who tackled him?"

"I'm happy to give it away," Frisby said. "It obviously wasn't me at 80 kilos. It was big Israel Folau. Came down on him on a high ball ... I think Cheik's lucky it wasn't me, he probably would have done both shoulders."

Frisby's admission surprised teammate Sean McMahon who then went on to give his opinion of the incident.

"Let's be honest that's what you get when Israel Folau's coming down on you with a high ball, someone's shoulder is probably going downhill," McMahon said.

It makes plenty of sense given when Cheika was asked about the injury on stage, Folau looked a little sheepish in his seat.

Cheika confirmed to reporters during the week he had just come out of surgery but did not want to reveal the player that made him worse for wear.

"When I rang my missus afterwards and told her what happened, the first thing she said was, 'is the player all right?' It was an interesting day out," Cheika said. "I'm out for this season, I think if I work on myself hard I'll be right for next season. It's going to be tricky half the time. I had to do it, I wasn't that keen to get it done. If I didn't do it I wouldn't be able to use my arm properly. She's done now I can't turn back."

He had been asked whether he would accept All Blacks coach Steve Hansen's invite for a peace-making beer, but replied that he was off the alcohol, so wouldn't be taking part in drinking games.

The invite followed the ongoing friction between the pair reaching a peak when Cheika said the All Blacks had not invited the Wallabies in for a beer after New Zealand's win in the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland last weekend. Hansen accused Cheika of trying to hijack the All Blacks' celebrations.

It is not known whether Folau will have to make it up to the coach as Cheika prepares to battle through a five-week tour with his arm in a sling but there appears to be no hard feelings.

Folau would want to hope not either, with Cheika saying he intends to start Folau at outside centre at some point during the spring tour given Samu Kerevi has been ruled out through injury.