Israel Folau has revealed he’s spent most of his NSW pre-season training at fullback as the Waratahs weigh up throwing their star recruit straight into the key position.
Folau says he doesn’t yet have a preference on where he lines-up during Super Rugby, but believes playing in the No.15 shirt during Waratahs trial matches is the best way for him to get a handle on rugby.
The cross-code convert seems certain to at least get a run at fullback during the Waratahs’ opening trial against Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday night.
Coach Michael Cheika hasn’t decided on the make-up of his back three for the season proper, but wants all the candidates to be as adept at fullback as on the wing.
Cheika is desperate for attacking weapon Folau to see as much space and quality ball as possible, and combined with his excellent skills under the high ball and kicking ability, fullback might prove to be his best position.
Folau isn’t making any bold statements but agrees with Cheika that time at the back will give him a speedy education on the intricacies of rugby.
“I feel fine with that (fullback). I’ve been training most of the time at fullback so it doesn’t feel any different and I’m looking forward to the challenge on Saturday,” said Folau, who never played fullback in the NRL.
“We’ll see how we go in trial games but at this stage I actually have no preferences.
“Fullback is probably the best way to learn and like Cheik says, you can see everything unfolding in attack. There will be a lot of space so that will be good.”
Ruck work shapes as one of the biggest adjustments for AFL defector Folau, however Cheika says his star signing seems “comfortable” with that area of the game.
Cheika named a 28-man squad devoid of most of his Wallabies for the first hit-out against the Rebels – with Test stars likely to return in time for the third and final trial against the Crusaders on February 14 at Allianz Stadium.
The new coach wants to see combinations develop and for Folau to feel relaxed and free.
“My biggest thing for him is to let him have the space and enjoy himself and not get too beat up about it all,” Cheika said.
“He should have a good time. There’s no competition points on the line at this stage so I want guys to get a good hit out and not get too carried away by it all.”
Meanwhile, Cheika has called on the ARU to throw their weight behind the Waratahs’ bid to hold onto lock Sitaleki Timani.
The Wallabies powerhouse has reportedly agreed to join French club Montpellier at the end of the year, however Cheika said it might not be too late to change Timani’s mind.
“I know we’ve put everything we can into our offer … we’re mindful of the salary cap … and the way the contract system is at the moment it’s going to be up to the ARU to do the best they can,” he said.
“No one has shown me a piece of paper where he’s signed on the dotted line.
“It’s very important for us to maintain locks of Sita’s quality in Australia. I’m not saying that to play politics, it’s the truth. I’d love to keep him.”
Waratahs trial squad: Michael Alaalatoa, Richard Aho, Kotoni Ale, Ollie Atkins, Peter Betham, Wayne Borzak, Tom Carter, Cam Crawford, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley (vice captain), Grayson Hart, Michael Hodge, Luke Holmes, Rob Horne, AJ Gilbert, Tom Kingston, Matt Lucas, Brendan McKibbin (captain), Tolu Latu, Dane Maraki, Elijah Niko, Greg Peterson, Jeremy Tilse (vice captain), Lopeti Timani, Peter Samu, Will Skelton, John Ulugia, Ben Volavola.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
jeznez - I thought it was just me who puzzled with McKibbin named as Captain. I'll never forget 'that kick' that saw Qld take the biscuits and stall our season. Surely it's a one off. Maybe it's a case of give him enough rope? Given that it's trials I'm hoping to see loads of combinations tried and tested. IMHO we really need to sort out that 9/10 combination or our season will never leave the starting blocks. Hart impresses me at 9 and if Foley doesn't get a run at 10 I'll be stonkered. A Hart and Foley combo could be just the thing to get our back line firing.
jameswm
Guest
I'm no fan of Carter either, but I think the team wins more when he's there. I can't believe they extended the contract of Carter and kept McCutcheon. There's two squad spots wasted. They should have kept Alcock way ahead of McCutch. And a club centre ahead of Carter, or a top level imported 10/12. It can't be 10 times - Timani can't be on as little ad $80K at the Tahs - or being paid $2-3m in France. I'd certainly go to France for that sort of coin if I was him. Who wouldn't?
Terry Kidd
Guest
It was reported as 10 times James. Lol, and no "carthorse" in the backline either.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Much easier to understand the angles in union than in afl though. We will all need to have patience (including Izzy himself by staying more than 1yr) as he will make plenty of bone headed mistakes in the split second he has to make a decision. I don't think 13 is an option as: - its far too demanding physically and mentally in defense - far too complicated for a rookie at this level. We all remember Tahu get carved up by the boks @13 - he was never the same after that - his skill set (aerial, open running, kicking) is not appropriate for a modern 13, particularly one playing for RD where a crash ball 13 is preferred. He would be wasted in attack. I would stick him on the wing as it would minimise the risks and make best use of his skills. Most importantly though he can't get shifted around too much - he needs to develop in 1 position.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Terry, I agree 9, 10, 11,12, 15 and 21 look likely to fall out that way but Horne and Kingston will be in the mix as well and 13/14/22 still have quite a few permutations. James, I prefer Hart as well but they are reporting that McKibbin is potentially the new captain - given a few of his tactical brain snaps - kicking the ball away against the Reds in round 1, anyone? That does make me nervous. Pleased to hear Timani is only a one year deal - although I too hope he doesn't go at all, saw Cheika putting it on the ARU in the paper today saying the Tahs offer was as large as it can be under the salary cap.
jeznez
Roar Guru
well apparently it isn't called soccer
jeznez
Roar Guru
Ryan is doing well and with Tilse in the wings on the LHP side the Tahs are very well served. Their 5th prop is where it gets a bit questionable but even there Ulugia is passable considering he is a hooker playing out of position. I think the Force front row is good - particularly with the fitness gains that Ma'afu has made. Brumbies are well served with Murphy being very capable at LHP. Completely agree with your assesment at the Reds where they are lacking on the THP side. Rebels are in the most strife up front, they will be hoping Weekes and Henderson can form a viable pair but would kill for the likes of Palmer, Ryan or Tilse instead. They have another hooker in Sexton coming from Leinster next year and will be hoping their new shotputter or Alo Emile will develop.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Gosh, Footaroos does not sound good at all.
Justin2
Guest
The Australian was reporting 10 times his salary. Find that impossible to believe unless they are talking about his base only which maybe possible if they were just talking his ARU base? and not S15 coin? If they are paying him upwards of $2m then the joke is on the Frogs :)
Justin2
Guest
Jez they were my thoughts around Palmer too. His scrummaging is already good it is his mobility, speed and other general pay that needs work. I hope he can find improvements in those areas in France, I suspect S15 would have been better for that. Regardless I hope he comes back after a year and gets a crack at the next wc.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Careful if we talk too much about it they'll find us and have their code war argument all over again. On reflection I think they specifically go for Footy. In the meantime I am waiting for the Footaroos to officially change their name. :)
jameswm
Guest
10 times? So $2-3m a year in France? Maybe you mean triple? I like that backline, though I'd go with Hart ahead of McKibbin. Horne and Kingston not mentioned.
jameswm
Guest
Palmer left a year before Baxter retired, however he must have known that this was imminent. I wish he'd stuck it out, but then Paddy Ryan's doing well. You need 3 good props in your S15 squad, which for the Brumbies is surely Alexander, Palmer and..ummm...(checking)...Sio or Murphy. So question marks over 3rd prop. NSW have by far the best group of 3 props (Robinson, Kepu and Ryan). I would have thought Alexander plays where the team tells him, though he's without doubt a better TH right now. The Force and Rebels would kill for a TH like Palmer, and even the Reds could use him. Slipper at TH is hardly a scrum anchor. Their other two props (Daley and Holmes) are mainly LHs. In fact Qld should release one (Daley I'd say) and take Palmer.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
TImani is no loss and it will force Dingbat to pick a lock who actually has locking skills rather than a bloke that looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. I think he is the most overrated player since Tom Bowman. Palmer on the other hand is a huge loss, I dont get that one at all.
Terry Kidd
Guest
If the tea leaves read as they appear to be falling then I think we can safely name the starting Tah backline .... McKibbin, Foley, Barnes, AAC, Mitchell, Turner, Folau with Hart and Betham on the bench. I do not want to see Timani go, I want him playing for the Tahs and the Wallabies, however it is reported that he will earn 10 times playing in France than he can earn here and he has signed for only one year. So the possibility is that he could play one year in France and return. Maybe he needs to buy his Mum a house?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
jeznez the threat of Palmer/Timani both leaving is bad.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I don't know how they could claim the world 'football.' One is a global game played by billions, the other is a park game played in one city. Lets be honest, people from Melbourne are for the most a bit weird.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Palmer made an odd decision leaving the Tahs just as Baxter retired and now is leaving the Brumbies - I suspect partially because Alexander has confirmed he is a THP rather than a LHP. The guy is already the best THP scrummager in Oz, I'm sure playing in France would improve him but the biggest thing the guy needs to do is get his mobility and general play improved and get his body right so he isn't always injured. Not sure playing in France rather than in Super Rugby is going to help fix that.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I call it Aussie Rules or AFL but I think the aficionados call it football and get in big fights with the soccer fans over the rights to the name.
jeznez
Roar Guru
mania, is there that much hype though? Of course there will be the odd crank who thinks he'll be the second coming - most comments I read are looking at his potential and hoping he'll be good. The most hype is coming from him and the Tahs but I think on his part he is just answering questions - would you like to represent the Wallabies against the Lions? - why yes I would but first I need to try and nail a starting spot at the Tahs, etc. On the Tahs part, he is a marketing tool and generating column inches. Assuming Mitchell, Turner, Kingston, Betham, Ashley-Cooper, Barnes and Foley are fit and all capable of playing in the back three there are loads of options there (even if three of them will probably play between 10, 12, 13). I think he will play a bit this year but will be pleasantly surprised if he locks down a starting berth and is making good (not outstanding) contributions by season's end. I agree with your comment that I'm glad they are pointing him at a position rather than easing him in off the wing.