Sonny Bill Williams’ indefensible offload changed rugby union and Israel Folau’s vertical leap has the potential to do the same, according to new NSW Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson.
Former All Black Gibson, who helped mould the Crusaders’ potent backline when Williams made his Super Rugby debut, watched Folau train for the first time with NSW on Thursday.
It was a low-key hit-out, with Folau laying a couple of slick passes and making a handful of line breaks during drills, but Gibson was already thinking big about the impact a bulked-up Folau can have on the 15-man game.
“Sonny brought to union some skills he had from league and he’s changed our game,” Gibson said.
“Israel, particularly with his aerial ability, could potentially do the same.
“It’s not a skill we’re particular adept at. He spent two years catching and kicking (in the AFL) and we’d be foolish not to utilise that skill.”
Gibson, part of the Crusaders’ foundation squad in 1996 and involved in union ever since, said he’d never seen anything like Folau’s ability to leap and snaffle the high ball.
“And what I haven’t seen in union a lot is the ability to catch the ball above your head, and that’s a skill he’s going to bring to our game,” Gibson said.
“Absolutely (it could change the game) and what it will change is teams’ ability to defend us.
“If the backfield is worried about his aerial game, then it obviously opens up opportunities elsewhere on the field.
“We’re going to have to exploit that.”
Folau spoke of his desire to take on the All Blacks on Tuesday, and Gibson revealed the 23-year-old’s switch to union had already created waves in his rugby-mad homeland.
“I got a number of texts from people back in New Zealand who were excited to see him go,” Gibson said.
“A few (Super Rugby) coaches and obviously players (sent messages). It’s neat that they’re aware we’ve signed someone of his calibre.”
Folau, who coach Michael Cheika says will play in the back three, will initially be shielded from contact work while he learns the intricacies of the ruck.
The code-hopper’s other major challenge will be to re-design his physique after shedding seven kilograms to prepare for the endurance required in AFL.
But Cheika said Folau will do a lot of running without the ball for the ‘Tahs and his body transformation won’t be overly severe.
“Maybe somewhere in the middle (of his playing weights in AFL and NRL). I can’t be sure, there’s no exact science to this,” Cheika said.
“I don’t know if it’s about upper chest or lower body. Most players know the weight they feel comfortable at. You got to go with your gut feel.
“It (Folau’s preparation for Super Rugby) is not really about that. It’s about footy.”
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Let me rephrase that. Tip it back to a "team mate". But it is easier to catch a high ball or take a pass when coming forwards, rather than going backwards. But everyone knows in rugby that if you watch the opposition number 10's shoulders where they point is generally the direction in which the kick will go. So I don't think he will cause much off a difference there as with the cross kick you need to catch the defense out unaware for it to work. I think he might be a force in defense IMO
PeterK
Roar Guru
hitting the ball out is a penalty offence. do it enough and a yellow card or penalty try will be given. You cannot use the hands to knock a ball over touch or the deadball line.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Why do they need to do that? If the defender is out wide no matter how bad he can catch a ball all he need to do is jump and slap the ball behind the dead ball line or out the touchline.
Justin2
Guest
So now it appears the ARU, with support from CEO Matt Carroll, are kicking in 400 large on top of the 250 for the Tahs. Got to make you wonder considering Higgers had to leve qld to come down to my team the rebels due to minimal top up.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Bennalong - I believe you have it wrong. The Tah coaches have been saying they need to increase his muscle mass. He is 98kg currently. However they said more than AFL BUT have him weigh LESS than he was at the NRL. Folau was 105kg in the NRL. So their target is between 98-105 kgs, probably around 100-101 kg. That is not too heavy when you consider his height.
Chivas
Guest
It depends Bennalong. Do you know the biggest complaint rugby coaches have with Gordon Tietjens (NZ legendary 7's coach). He runs players into such a high level of mobility and fitness, they carry very low levels of fat and are too lean, so they can't take the hits and put them in when they return to the 15 aside game. His strength and power is not so important in AFL, but it is highly valued in union. I'm sure that they know the balance they are looking for and it's not about looking good when you take your shirt off :-)
bennalong
Guest
Gibson talks about his aerial skills and in the same breath wants him to bulk up in the weights room !!!!! What the ....! These guys just don't get it. The bloke already weighs over 100kg Don't they think Aussie Rules players are strong enough to play the role of outside back in union. They built Lote up and slowed him down then used him like a foreward. Do they need to do the same with Folau? Leave the bloke lean fast and mean you fool !
Chivas
Guest
I agree, but his size and strength will give him an advantage. He can take a knock and still control his body. I think he will go ok. I certainly think he is a lot better than Dell. He is also no slouch and a more powerful runner than Dell. I don't think it will take him long to learn the physicality of rugby in terms of body position and controlling the ball so he feeds it back to his team mates. I'm not sure whether he will be great, but he is smart and learns.... so it's a pretty good start. I would be very surprised if he found himself with a Wallaby jersey by the time the Lions tour comes about though. I also think blatant taking someone out off a ball, is better policed in union than in league. But that said, it's even more allowed in AFL, so am not worried about that. I think he could be a good addition and add another dimension, but only time will tell.
TC
Guest
Admittedly, it won't be as open as that in a rugby game, and he's likely to come across more bodies at the drop of the ball, but I tell you what, he'll have the opposition thinking about him, and that's already a win for the tahs. TC
I think it is good to have someone bringing a new skill to the game, but once again to suggest he is chaging the game is a little over the top, don't you think?
PeterK
Roar Guru
no as I stated above a defender who has no chance of getting the ball will look like he is going for the ball but instead take Folau out, happens all the time now and is not penalised.
Geoff Brisbane now California
Guest
So can he pass??? Aerial stuff is ok
TC
Guest
Regarding Izzy's aerial skills - don't worry what he may or may not have done in the AFL - worry more about what he had already been doing in the NRL before he made the switch. Don't worry, he's got the ability to introduce something special into the tahs' game play. If your 6ft 4, tearing it up the wing, and the only one capable of taking the ball at the highest point, it's game, set and match. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rPCibOsSfA
PeterK
Roar Guru
If Folau does become a threat in the air, and it becomes a weapon then watch cynical coaches neutralize it. They have players looking at the ball pretending to try and catch it but they will actually be running at Folau and turn around and drive the shoulder into him whilst in the air. He will be unable to catch the ball since he is taken out. It happens commonly now but is not penalised.
Jay
Guest
I haven't seen much of this guy in action aside from a few highlight reels on youtube - these all seem to focus on his ariel game (taking AFL style "marks" from a cross-field kick deep in the defending teams' 22). He's taken some pearls, but what about other aspects of his game? Can anyone who's seen a bit more of him comment on his prowess in defence? And how much does he pass the ball to support players? From what I've seen, he'd be handy out wide on the wing - not so sure about in the centres as a few roarers have been touting. Look forward to seeing how he goes - hopefully he has an all-round game (tackling, passing and making busting runs and not just a one-trick pony with those ariel grabs).
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yep and hours spent at training rehearsing. My amateur team used to abuse it when I was playing and I was always thinking the long kick to the winger is the last resort thing, the sort of stuff you do when you know you won't beat opponents defence or do not have that many other skills/ options, which was our case! But i always think a good team should try to find other ways rather than kick possession away and possibly give a counter attacking option to the opponent. That's why I am curious, and sceptical, to see how they can use it effectively. A few times in a season yes, a secret weapon used at every match, definitely not IMHO.
Doghouse
Guest
Folau at full back - I have just seen him walk around an AFL field for 2 years, has no second wind, takes half and hour to kick the ball. Under pressure in Rugby he will struggle esp at the breakdown IMO. He is obviously gifted but limited - he is deja vu Wendell Sailor
Dan
Guest
You didn't happen to catch the last minute of the Wales game by any chance did you?
Bearfax
Guest
Good luck to the kid. He's certainly very talented and suited to the rugby codes. Unfortunate he didnt come back to League but rightly that's his decision. I suspect also the inertia of Leagues Admin is addressing the cap issue didnt help. This present board needs to be shown the back door post haste. Get some people in their that listen to the fans,players and clubs and can make decisions expeditiously. As for Folau I think he should do very well in the 15 player team and maybe eventually get into the test team. Imagine him as an outside back. I'm a League man myself, but enjoy a good union game (when tries are being scored) and I look forward to watching Folau with the Waratahs, though I think the Reds are the team to watch..
Hurl
Guest
All the Tahs need now is a 1st 5 that can kick....