Cheika wants to keep Timani

Chieka hope: Sitaleki Timani

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Waratahs head coach Michael Cheika has urged the Australian Rugby Union to do all it can to keep hold of strong Wallaby lock forward Sitaleki Timani.

According to AAP, the powerful second-row is reported to have agreed a deal with Top 14 outfit Montpellier from 2014 but Cheika believes there is still hope of keeping the 26-year-old in Sydney.

"I know we've put everything we can into our offer - we're mindful of the salary cap - and the way the contract system is at the moment it's going to be up to the ARU to do the best they can," he said.

"No one has shown me a piece of paper where he's signed on the dotted line [for Montpellier].

"It's very important for us to maintain locks of Sita's quality in Australia. I'm not saying that to play politics, it's the truth. I'd love to keep him."

Elsewhere at the Waratahs and it seems likely that rugby league convert Israel Folau is poised to run from full-back in pre-season, with the 23-year-old explaining he is keen for the season to start.

"I feel fine with that [fullback]," he said.

"I've been training most of the time at full-back so it doesn't feel any different and I'm looking forward to the challenge on Saturday.

"We'll see how we go in trial games but at this stage I actually have no preferences.

"Full-back is probably the best way to learn and like Cheik says, you can see everything unfolding in attack. There will be a lot of space so that will be good."