The biggest test in Australian rugby since the 2011 Rugby World Cup is about to dawn. That’s right folks, I speak of course of the British and Irish Lions tour.
Could it have come at a bigger time? For an Australian team with everything to prove, with one of their best players out, the answer is probably not.
Selection is always a talking point when it comes to Lions tours, but one of the bigger talking points when it comes to selection this year will be Israel Folau.
His enormous talent is no secret, but so far it has not been fully on display. Perhaps this discussion will become irrelevant closer to the tour, but for now, whether Folau should play against the Lions is up in the air for him to leap up and grab.
While Folau has not yet shown his full potential in the 15-man game, there’s no reason he won’t in months to come.
Folau has a great natural leap, as well as brilliant strength close to line.
Skills developed in his two-year stint with the Giants such as a good kicking and catching ability will also come in handy in a rugby union backline, especially a future Wallabies backline, featuring the likes of Jesse Mogg, James O’Connor, Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale.
There is no doubt Folau has the tools to be a revolutionary outside back for the Wallabies. He also has experience of test match pressure, capping for the Kangaroos seven times in his league career.
Folau unquestionably has all the tools to be a star in union. We just have to wait for it to happen.
Oh, how many times the above has been said, but not fulfilled. Not to mention the potential Izzy had in Australian rules that went to waste when the club gave up on him.
But one of the cruel facts of life is that sometimes things don’t always work out, which could easily be the case with Folau with rugby.
He hasn’t shown a whole heap through his first few games, and if the trend continues, there’s no reason for him to be dressing up in the gold later on in the year.
And of course, to throw an inexperienced rugby player into his first Wallaby test against the British and Irish Lions could easily spell disaster.
While the Lions dominant power comes mainly through their pack, the skill of Leigh Halfpenny, experience of Brian O’Driscoll and kicking kicking prowess of Jonny Sexton could easily debunk Folau.
No-one is doubting Israel Folau has the makings to be the superstar in union he was in league. He has great size, speed and hand and foot skills, but his breakdown play needs to improve, as does his confidence.
If he can manage this in time for the Lions’ tour, he will give the Wallabies a skillful edge seen by the likes of James O’Connor and an in-form Quade Cooper. Let’s hope things go to plan.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
12 years time LOL
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
I would not even consider Folau for Australia B. He is not a fullbacks azzhole. His positional play is poor and his tackling is ordinary. You could see the Reds and Cheetahs both exploiting his obvious weakness. I would try him in the centres or wing.
Scotty
Guest
Slater set the world alight? Only until Warburton, Robshaw or Kelly Brown got thier hands on him.... Slater is a great LEAGUE fullback - what he would do in Union is anyones geuss. When tackled its not a polite hand over to the next phase you know......
Chivas
Guest
And you are right Malo... We are all in fantasy. I would like to have seen Lomu have a crack at League. He was legendary at running and tackling in a channel. Slater may well be decent in union, but I don't think he's an automatic shoe in any more than Christian Cullen would be a Billy Slater in league. I actually preferred playing league and watching rugby. I also appreciate both sports and how different they are both defensively and the lines and strategies... before even looking at the obvious differences. And my fantasy was to play in the forwards against a girls team :-)
Malo
Guest
i know I sound like a leaguie but i am not I was disgusted that Tahu and Wendall who were jokes & should never have got a jersey did only to justify their huge contracts. Talent is talent. Lote was talented and I think Folau and Slater are. The roar is a bit about fantasy and Folau has missed the boat probably but did show form in the trials. You have to recognise that the same skills of RL players can be transfered to union especially in the backs Forward converts would be harder hence why i think Thorn is the greatest league convert. Lets face it Slater would crap all over Beale at FB. Fantasy has now ended over and out.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Have to agree, Gary, pretty preposterous, again, no malice intended. Even if Folou were to put in some great games between now and then, we're talking Super rugby not internationals. Perhaps if the Lions Tour was in a year or two, there would be the distinct possibility of him gaining some necessary experience. However, on the evidence to date, it's a definite no.
Chivas
Guest
But that's just opinion Malo, like Folau should be playing centre. And you are entitled to think it because everything is true in fantasy land. And that is my point. For people to stand and say they know for sure these things is rubbish. And since he's not what value is it. The conversation was Folau would be a good centre and my point was who in their right mind would start him there when he has yet to work out how to play wing. One of those positions he needs to set up and be aware of. All that and be available for the Lions. As stated SBW took 4 years to be an AB. Folau 6 weeks to be a Wallaby. Anyway, we will just have to agree to disagree that league players can automatically convert to union any more than vice versa. For me the lines are different even at centre, which is why Tahu struggled. But maybe it was Deans or he was rubbish to start with... Don't know. All I know is Wendall, Lote, Matt Rogers have come with big wraps and never set the world alight. So bringing up names and saying this or that about how they would go... Fantasy.
Uncle Eric
Guest
Could be right for the next Lions tour whenever that is.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
You're clutching at thin air. That was clearly a tackle that could be made. If he gone around the middle rather than the chest it would have been. A failed tackle, and your desire to bash Folau means you won't admit it.
Malo
Guest
Chivas Slater would just walk into the fullback role now no questions asked and be the best FB in world rugby.
Ra
Guest
Yeah I agree KPM wing/centre, he looks dreadful at fullback. What are you tailin about Soapit bro???
Chivas
Guest
Low from behind = kick in the face. Hips and slide down = slide off. Grab, scrag and drag = fend and miss. But I don't know how you fend someone directly behind and side on low dive is easy.... I don't know. I like AAC, he is one of the more reliable tacklers and commits.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He was chasing as hard as he could from behind, if he goes low he doesn't catch him, and if by a miracle he did then a low driving tackle drives Shipperly over the line. You are clutching at straws mate.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
AAC should have tackled him lower, that would have stopped him. Folau also should have come forward. Both made mistakes.
superba
Guest
Disagree re bulking him up .Strength speed and agility are the key .Tuqiri bulked up so much he seemed to slow down .Rhule the Cheetahs wing stepped Folau to score last week. Folau's defence is suspect .Tho he is a great talent I would prefer to see Billy Slater in Walllabies 15 jumper .Now wouldnt he set the rugby world alight? If only.....
jeznez
Roar Guru
you think AAC got palmed off before those two passes to get to Shipperly? Or you don't think AAC did enough as Folau helped Ships over the try line?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I watched it before I wrote to you in the beginning jeznez. He went too high and was fended off. At the speed he was coming he should have been able to tackle him before he got to the line.
jeznez
Roar Guru
KP - are you saying you won't watch the video because I speculated the Insider might be AAC? I've since changed my mind on that as his reference to AAC popping the ball as Folau ran backwards was off - it was Kepu popping the ball in the lead up to that try. If you have re-watched then I am not sure how you can maintain AAC made an error there - I'd love you to explain what that error was.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
No it doesn't. Both make mistakes.
soapit
Guest
i'm surprised you didnt pick a bit more up in those 31 years hanging around rugby players :D