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He’s been slated to move to outside centre for the NSW Waratahs in 2014 but Israel Folau won’t be moving from fullback for the Wallabies any time soon; or ever.
Despite Australia missing their only two No.13s – Tevita Kuridrani and Adam Ashley-Cooper – for this weekend’s Test against Scotland, coach Ewen McKenzie rubbished at any thought of shifting Folau from fullback.
McKenzie said such a move would be completely illogical.
“He’s been outstanding (at fullback),” he said. “Everyone says that so why would we suddenly want to move him?
“If you put him at 13, a lot of the attributes he brings to the game will suddenly disappear so it doesn’t seem to make sense.”
With Kurtley Beale returning to the Waratahs, NSW coach Michael Cheika has a tough job working out where to fit in the two Wallabies fullbacks.
Cheika also has the challenge to try and keep both five-eighth Bernard Foley and Ashley-Cooper in their favoured positions.
But Folau’s freakish skills under the high ball – shown by the number of times he defused bombs and then immediately counter-attacked dangerously against Ireland last weekend – means McKenzie won’t be moving him, even though he’d also be a certain star in the centres as well.
“I’d be taking away the things he likes,” said the coach, who picked Christian Leali’ifano to play the Scots there instead. “He enjoys what he’s doing at the moment.
“Sure, he’s good at running the ball – he’s good at catching it as well.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.