Koroibete, the former Melbourne Storm winger, had been floated as a possible spring tour bolter since he spilled the beans last month that Cheika had promised him a spot on the plane to Europe.

The fact that Koroibete, who is yet to make his Super Rugby debut, was picked ahead of Luke Morahan has ignited debate as to whether such a move has any merit. But Cheika has defended his selection, saying Koroibete hasn't got a Test cap yet.

"I haven't given the jersey yet have I?" Cheika said. "I'm not cheapening any jersey because he hasn't got one yet. He's obviously a fine player and he's a profile with out and out speed. No one is getting a jersey for free. No one has and no one will.

"He's a talent. He can make an impact further down the road. I want to have a look at him before he goes back to Super Rugby and I think that's a perfectly logical thing to do.

"Yes, [Morahan] would have been disappointed I'm sure, but I'm looking to grow the amount of depth we have. There's a definite plan in what we're doing."

Cheika named Queensland Reds pair Izaia Perese and Taniela Tupou as well as NSW-based Kellaway and Dempsey as development players for the tour.

Perese, Kellaway and Dempsey are in the running to get some game time during the French Barbarians clash on November 24, while Tupou still has 12 months to go before he reaches his three-year residency requirement to play for Australia.

Cheika has kept a close eye on Kellaway, 21, and Dempsey, 22, since his days at the Waratahs and revealed the former had to make a quick call to his travel agent.

"I spoke to him and I think he was a little taken aback because he was very excited," Cheika said. "Towards the end of the telephone call he remembered that he was supposed to be flying out on a holiday to Mexico this morning [Wednesday]. He had to make a quick change to his plans.

"[They're] very talented players. They'll get the experience and we can lay some experience into them. I just think they're talented players and it will be a great education opportunity for them."

Cheika had to answer questions about his own fitness after rupturing two tendons in his shoulder at Wallabies training last Monday in Sydney.

He had surgery on Tuesday and will spend the entire spring tour with his arm in a sling.

"I'm off the alcohol since the operation," Cheika laughed. "I'm ruled out of all drinking contests."

"When I rang my missus afterwards and told her what happened, the first thing she said was, 'is the player alright?' It was an interesting day out. I'm out for this season, if I work on myself I'll be right for next season. It's going to be pretty tricky most of the time. They said I had to do it, I wasn't that keen to get it done."

​As to the availability of his players, Cheika said Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell were still injured, while Adam Ashley-Cooper said his fitness wasn't up to scratch.

Cheika expects to have a "fight on my hands" trying to get Will Genia to be available for the first Test against Wales on November 5.

The Wales and England matches fall outside the international Test window, meaning Genia's club side Stade Francais have the right to keep the Wallabies' first-choice halfback for that period.

English Premiership clubs have released Wales players for the fixture against Australia, so Cheika is hopeful the same goodwill will be on offer from the French club.

Cheika confirmed Kurtley Beale would not be fit in time as he recovers from a torn patella.

He also reiterated his plan to give Israel Folau a run at outside centre following the injury to Samu Kerevi which has ruled him out of action for the tour.

Asked about his ambitions on the Wallabies' grand slam attempt, Cheika said: "My expectation is to be at our best every day. The only way you can get something like that is to be the best you can every day – in training and then on match day. It's a matter of doing it one game at a time and not getting caught in the bigger picture."