Australian veteran No 8 Wycliff Palu has announced his retirement from international rugby.
The 34-year-old had announced that he was joining Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz last season but injury forced him to return to the Waratahs which gave him another shot at international rugby.
Palu amassed 58 Test caps but injury dogged his career in recent seasons and a hamstring problem forced him to leave Australia's 2015 Rugby World Cup squad early and miss an appearance in the final with his team-mates.
On returning to Super Rugby, Palu was involved in Australia's worst ever series defeat to England in June, and told Cheika his retirement plans in the wake of the 3-0 loss, away from the public spotlight.
Cheika said he respected Palu's decision but was not prepared to let the Sydney-born back-row leave the country without receiving the plaudits he deserves.
"He came and spoke to me after the series on him moving on and retiring from international rugby," said Cheika.
"He doesn't want any noise about this stuff.
"He's one of the greatest servants we have, he's done so much for Australian rugby, he shouldn't be shifting out the side door to Japan.
"He's been one of the great players I've coached not only because of the way he plays the game but his attitude towards the team and what he does for the team, all class and always understated."
The Australia coach has already moved to try and find a long-term replacement for Palu and was able to persuade 29-year-old Bath back-row forward Leroy Houston to re-join the Reds in Super Rugby.