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Has anyone ever asked champion Wallaby fullback Israel Folau if he can goal-kick?
Since he switched to rugby in 2013, and won two John Eales Medals, Folau’s shown such acute ball sense and coolness under pressure amongst his many proven talents that there’s no reason why goal-kicking would be beyond him.
I appreciate it’s a bit late in the World Cup campaign to ask the question, but goal-kicking and not tries will be the key factor at the business end of this tournament, because northern hemisphere referees will control most of the bigger games.
So it’s worth repeating, penalties will take precedence over tries.
The current pecking order of Wallaby goal-kickers is Bernard Foley, Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau and Kurtley Beale who on their day can rank among the best.
But those top days are pretty well spread. No Wallaby goal-kicker can match England’s Owen Farrell or Welshman Dan Biggar whom the Wallabies must face in their next two Pool A games.
Having faith in the goal-kicker is of supreme importance, especially in a World Cup where there are constant internationals with very little recovery time.
Under those unusual pressure conditions, goal-kickers take on bigger responsibilities. They can make or break team morale at any time in the game.
Both Michael Cheika and Stuart Lancaster have been holding off naming their squads for what will be the hottest ticket in London for their crucial clash at Twickenham that will kick off at 6am AEDT on Sunday.
For England, it’s win or pack your bags; your tournament is done and dusted, and the Wallabies will qualify for the quarters.
A Wallaby loss, and they will have a second bite of the cherry against Wales the following week.
But the latter suggestion doesn’t cut the mustard with the Wallabies who have their mind firmly set on winning all seven games to bring back Bill.
But they can only contend with what’s in front of them.
It’s been suggested in the British media league convert Sam Burgess has been dropped from inside centre to the bench, with Lancaster deciding to give the brittle Brad Barritt another crack at 12. Back from a chest injury, Jonathan Joseph has been promoted to outside centre.
Those selections smack of Lancaster panic and will be welcomed by the probable Wallaby centres Giteau and Tevita Kuridrani – who won’t have to face the far bigger and harder to handle Burgess until later in the game when the Wallabies will be out of reach.
I’m hoping Michael Cheika promotes tireless backrower Sean McMahon to the bench, where he’s joined by new hooker James Hanson whose lineout feeding far exceeds Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Can’t wait for Sunday.