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Cheika drops Folau bombshell, names squad versus Barbarians

Expert
22nd October, 2017
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(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Expert
22nd October, 2017
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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has revealed that Israel Folau will miss the Spring Tour in a decision agreed to some time ago.

Folau will step away from the game entirely for a short time in order to refresh himself and prepare for the 2018 season.

He has been in excellent form throughout the year and scored his twelfth try of the season in last night’s five-point win over the All Blacks.

He will play in the match against an Allan Jones-coached Barbarians side next weekend but that will be his last outing of the year.

Folau had the option of, if not wishing to play as part of the Spring Tour, instead playing club rugby in Japan over the summer.

However he has decided to take a break from the game entirely until 2018.

“It’s a good time for him to have some time away from the spotlight, just sit down and relax. He doesn’t get a lot of chance to do that.

“He’s been under the microscope every single day since he’s come to rugby.

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“And I think it’ll be a chance for him to get out of that for a moment, rest his body, rest his mind, take a well-earned breather and then get back into it from day one of Super Rugby next year.

“A good pre-season under his belt and away we go.

“I respect him a lot as a player and as a person … he’s been really good about managing the whole situation to get the right outcome for himself and for the long run, for the team.”

Cheika also named his squad for the Wallabies’ match against the Barbarians, with Folau the only regular member of the national team to not be rested from the game.

Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley*, Western Force
Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Tests, Brumbies
Rory Arnold, 15 Tests, Brumbies
Jack Dempsey, 6 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Kane Douglas, 31 Tests, Queensland Reds
Folau Fainga’a*, Brumbies
Tetera Faulkner, 3 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Ned Hanigan, 9 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Ben McCalman, 49 Tests, Western Force
Stephen Moore, 125 Tests, Queensland Reds
Tom Robertson, 15 Tests, NSW Waratahs
James Slipper, 86 Tests, Queensland Reds
Lopeti Timani, 9 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Lukhan Tui, 3 Tests, Queensland Reds
Jordan Uelese, 2 Tests, Melbourne Rebels
Liam Wright*, Queensland Reds

Backs
Israel Folau, 62 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Kyle Godwin, 1 Test, Brumbies
Jake Gordon*, NSW Waratahs
Karmichael Hunt, 3 Tests, Queensland Reds
Samu Kerevi, 14 Tests, Queensland Reds
Billy Meakes*, Western Force
Duncan Paia’aua*, Queensland Reds
Izaia Perese*, Queensland Reds
Nick Phipps, 58 Tests, NSW Waratahs
Joe Powell, 2 Tests, Brumbies
Curtis Rona, 2 Tests, Western Force
Henry Speight, 17 Tests, Brumbies

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