Michael Cheika plans to keep in frequent contact with World Cup selection hopefuls during next year’s Super Rugby season to build on the work started during the spring tour.

And the Wallabies coach insists the communication network can exist without creating a conflict of interest with his role as NSW Waratahs mentor.

Cheika, appointed as Ewen McKenzie’s successor just three days before the spring tour, believes the Wallabies have taken crucial steps in Europe towards embracing a new playing style and team culture, even if it hasn’t been reflected in results.

But the coach faces a race against time to get Australia peaking for the World Cup, with the Wallabies playing only four Tests – none before July – in the lead-up to September’s tournament in the UK.

Cheika’s challenge is made even harder by the fact he’ll be juggling Super Rugby coaching duties but he’s confident he can keep the national team’s momentum going.

The process has already begun with Cheika meeting players individually to discuss where they sit in the selection pecking order and what is expected of them.

“I’m giving them, right now, the sort of things I want to see from them which will ensure their selection,” Cheika said.

“I want to keep in touch with them all the time about all of that.”

The many players not on the spring tour but in the World Cup selection frame – including those returning from injury and overseas such as David Pocock, Stephen Moore and James O’Connor – will also be kept in the loop.

Communication will happen online, in face-to-face meetings and possibly in mid-season training camps and Cheika insists it won’t compromise Super Rugby issues.

“It won’t (create a conflict of interest) because it’ll be basic stuff,” Cheika said.

“I’ll never go across and say ‘do something different to what your Super Rugby coach is doing’.

“With each player, I’ll know the things I want to get out of that that I think are important and basic things they can show in their Super Rugby season.

“If there’s something I think they need to practise, that they’re not doing with their Super Rugby teams because that’s not in their game strategy, I’ll give them extra things to do that we can film and give them feedback.”

A matter of priority for Cheika will be finalising his coaching staff next month.

The coach wants to appoint specialist attack, defence and set-piece coaches with spring tour assistants Nathan Grey and Andrew Blades in the frame for permanent roles.

Should Grey stay on, like Cheika, he would have to juggle Wallabies and Waratahs duties.

It’s a challenge Cheika sees as tricky but achievable with the help of NSW assistant Daryl Gibson, who he hopes will succeed him in the Waratahs’ top job in 2015.

“I’ve just got to be very well organised, Cheika said.

“I’ve got a plan building in my head and I’ve got good help from the coaches at the Waratahs that’ll control things when I’m away.

“The players will know that when I’m sitting in front of them talking to them, that’s my priority and, when I go away and I’m talking to other lads from other teams, that’s my priority too.

“There are challenges but it’s definitely doable with the right mindset from myself and all the lads.”