New dad Saia Fainga’a is carrying a heavy heart on the Wallabies’ European tour.

But the Queensland Reds hooker says he’s struck a balance that will allow him to stay focused on the daunting task facing Australia’s forwards in the coming weeks.

Fainga’a missed September’s win over South Africa in Perth due to the birth of his first child and rugby commitments have meant he’s only been able to spend around ten days with two-month old daughter Sienna.

Spending another month away from his daughter and fiancee Alicia Antico is painful but the 27-year-old said the tour environment under coach Michael Cheika had allowed him to devote time to both family and rugby commitments.

“A big thing Cheik’s brought in is making sure there is that balance,” Fainga’a said.

“So for us, it’s making sure rugby is number one but we also have that balance between family life and enjoyment and other things around rugby as well.

“It’s been tough and my fiancee is doing it pretty tough at home but that makes the green and gold jersey even more special, to be away knowing that you’re representing the jersey.”

Between frequent FaceTime sessions and phone calls home, much of Fainga’a’s focus has been on helping the Wallabies’ scrum that has come under renewed scrutiny.

Australia conceded a penalty try in the 33-28 win over Wales in Cardiff, reopening some old wounds in an area of the game where the Wallabies have steadily improved their reputation.

Fainga’a says consistency is the key and matches against France – in Paris on Saturday – Ireland and England will provide the perfect preparation for next year’s World Cup.

“The French have got one of the most brutal packs and their scrum shows that,” said Fainga’a, who could start a fifth successive Test for the first time in his career on Saturday.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do but for us it’s about making sure we get that consistency around that scrum every time.”