Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has been an influential figure in the career of Taqele Naiyaravoro but he won't try changing the wrecking-ball winger's mind about a move overseas.
Naiyaravoro scored two tries in the NSW Waratahs' hoodoo-busting win over the Highlanders last weekend, ending New Zealand's 40-game stretch of Super Rugby dominance over Australian sides.
The rugby league convert worked shed 12kg in the pre-season and has boosted his hopes of a Wallabies recall with a string of eye-catching performances for NSW.
Former Waratahs coach Cheika knows Naiyaravoro's talent well.
In 2014, he convinced the Fijian-born youngster to stop playing for Wests Tigers' reserve grade team and start pursuing a rugby career at NSW.
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Naiyaravoro remains a key figure in Australia's outside-back selection debate ahead of next month's Test series against Ireland.
The 26-year-old will join English club Northampton later this year, ruining his hopes of being part of Australia's 2019 World Cup campaign.
"Players make decisions and that's the way it goes," Cheika said.
"I've got a long association with him.
"At this stage I haven't (tried to persuade him to stay in Australia)."
Cheika will next week name his squad for the three-Test series against Ireland that starts on June 9.
"He's definitely being looked at. He's made a huge impact to the Waratahs," he said of Naiyaravoro.
"It's an area we're very strong in. We've got a lot of competition on the wing.
"I certainly can't complain about his form.
"He's making breaks ... scoring tries. He's starting to learn about working a bit harder as well.
"If a player is standing out and they're going overseas, it'd be crazy not to pick them and help the team now."
Naiyaravoro has scored an Australian-best 10 tries this season for NSW, who trumped the Highlanders after testing the Crusaders and Blues in tight losses.
Cheika was pleased to see the end of a staggering trans-Tasman streak but is still craving "repeated strong performances" from all Australian franchises.
"The Reds are exactly the same. They had a strong performance against the Hurricanes and now they need to have that same intensity this weekend," he said.
