Better than Folau: Why Jason Woodward is Australian rugby's biggest loss

By Mevan VK / Roar Rookie

Melbourne fullback Jason Woodward’s decision to join the Hurricanes is a huge loss for the Rebels and Australia in general.

In a less-than-impressive Rebels outfit, Woodward, Scott Higginbotham and Luke Jones were consistently the shining lights.

No one seemed to consider Woodward when it came to selection time for the Wallabies, but he is the best fullback in Australia.

This may be an unpopular opinion, considering the massive support Israel Folau has obtained over the last two years, with most people considering him to be a shoo-in for the Wallabies 15 jersey.

However, while Folau is the best outside back in Australian rugby, Woodward is the form fullback.

Folau’s main strengths in the game are his abnormal skill under the high ball and his ability to attract defenders and break tackles on a consistent basis.

Over this Super Rugby season, we have seen his ability to get into the right position to finish off tries in the Waratahs’ backline, making him a very good finisher too. However, Folau’s defence at fullback is questionable and his kicking game is inconsistent.

Israel Folau is a finisher with a lot of x-factor. Doesn’t this description seem more suited to a wing berth with the Wallabies as opposed to fullback?

Robbie Deans was onto something when he tried to play Folau at that position against the Lions last June. Folau has the potential to make a devastating winger in the mould of Julian Savea – a danger man who will frighten opponents every time the ball goes wide.

Jason Woodward on the other hand is everything the Wallabies need at fullback. Sure he doesn’t have the x-factor as Folau, but so few players do. Woodward’s defence is top notch, he has electrifying pace and the best kicking game of all the fullbacks in Australian rugby – yes, including Jesse Mogg.

So much of the Rebels’ attack originates from him and he has the ability to set up good attacking platforms for his team. His goal-kicking would also be an asset, given the Wallabies don’t have many good kickers this year. He is not as remarkable as Folau under the high ball but does it really matter when Folau would be just outside him on the wing?

Woodward not only seems to be a well-rounded option at fullback, but provides a solution to the debate about the inside backs. The 9, 10 and 12 positions would not have to be decided by taking the requirements of a good place-kicker into consideration, with one already at fullback.

Even if we persist with Folau at fullback and he gets injured, what then? The only viable backup would be Kurtley Beale.

Beale hasn’t played 15 for close to a year and it wouldn’t be wise to shift him away from the inside back positions where he’s thriving. What Beale needs is consistency; playing in the same position for an extended period, thereby allowing him to get more comfortable and work his magic.

The loss of Jason Woodward has much greater impact than we realise. For him to be eligible for the Wallabies, he had to play three consecutive seasons of Super Rugby in Australia. That means that he would have been available for national selection next year if had stayed on with the Rebels.

We should have done more to keep him there. Ewen McKenzie could have invited him to train with the squad as he did with Henry Speight. A clear sign of interest from the Wallabies might have been enough to stop him from leaving.

The Crowd Says:

2014-06-03T13:25:52+00:00

SkinnyKid

Roar Rookie


Like LOL oh the irony

2014-06-03T04:53:36+00:00

Edward Pye

Roar Guru


The Hurricanes backline is certainly going to look different next year. Rumor has it that Nonu and Weepu will be returning (now that Hammet is gone.) Taylor, Leiua and Bateman leaving - Woodward and Flutey returning as well as Hosea Gear (who hasnt confirmed where he's going yet but potentially the Canes.)

2014-06-03T04:41:54+00:00

Edward Pye

Roar Guru


Hes not eligible for the All Blacks until he plays a season of domestic rugby, so next year he will be eligible again

2014-06-02T22:41:07+00:00

wiseguy

Guest


What are you on Chan? Toby Smith - not great and certainly no shoe in. Ebersohn - not great and the highest error rate in super rugby, the worst hand for a flyhalf in the game, bad defence and has very litle impact when taking the ball to the line. Maybe because he usually runs sideways or coughs it up when tackled by even the smallest defender. Woodward - overrated a good performer in a very average team lets see how he goes next year or at international level.

2014-06-02T19:14:19+00:00

Jerry

Guest


Has Folau ever won a test series in rugby?

2014-06-02T19:12:52+00:00

Jerry

Guest


Gatland said he wants to recruit him, but nothing confirmed by Anscombe yet.

2014-06-02T13:53:47+00:00

Buzzard

Guest


Has Saves ever played State of Origin, International League & AFL? No comparison. Folau rulz

2014-06-02T13:53:45+00:00

Buzzard

Guest


Has Saves ever played State of Origin, International League & AFL? No comparison. Folau rulz

2014-06-02T13:50:24+00:00

Buzzard

Guest


Flog

2014-06-02T13:47:46+00:00

Buzzard

Guest


Get off your high horse Tane you flog. Your like a scratched record.

2014-06-02T13:21:16+00:00


The Folau effect even has Chuck Norris in hiding ;)

2014-06-02T13:17:29+00:00

JB

Guest


Tane your such a hater, any scrap of crap like this article you brush every Aussie with the same stroke, the author is the only one I know of to hold this opinion and I know plenty of Aussie rugby fans, any comment on fekitoas eligibility?

2014-06-02T12:40:23+00:00

Brian USA

Guest


It certainly won't be easy Tane. There are some great 15s in NZ right now. However, I think his form with the Rebels is only a sneak peak at what he is capable of. This season his 10 was poor, midfield was (at best) average, and his other outside backs were inconsistent. He will now be back in NZ (or as I like to call it, "the Fly Half Factory") with TJ and Barrett. The wing combo is almost undoubtedly the best in Super Rugby, and the mid field is decent. With that supporting cast in the backline, I see no where for Woodward to go but up. I suspect he there will be a few unhappy full backs (and fly halves) in NZ come RWC time because it will be a struggle getting all that talent on the field...

2014-06-02T12:34:02+00:00

Tane Mahuta

Guest


Id have Folau at 14, Savea at 11 and Mike Brown at 15 thanks.

2014-06-02T12:30:53+00:00

James

Guest


Lol!!! So true!!!

2014-06-02T12:29:03+00:00

Tane Mahuta

Guest


His best position is wing imo and I think his skills would be best utilised there. Hes not rock solid in defence imo. Hes OK. Jane is one of the best in the world under the highball, where does he play? His tactical kicking is definately the worst in tier 1 and 2 international rugby for a fullback imo. I would use him on the wing, where I think he belongs.

2014-06-02T12:28:26+00:00

PeterK

Guest


Folau smashed Savea over the sidline saving a try. Savea was at full pace. That has been answered.

2014-06-02T12:26:11+00:00

Brian USA

Guest


I thought I read or heard somewhere that Anscomb is heading to Wales? Was I mistaken? Even if he stays, I would think Woodward has a much better shot at the AB than people are giving him credit for. Was consistently the shining light on a poor team. At the Hurricanes, he will have a significantly better 9/10 in front of him, and arguably the best wing combo in Super Rugby. With that, I would think he would be even better next season. Although Dagg and Ben Smith are the form NZ 15s, I would say a season at the Hurricanes will only make Woodward better.

2014-06-02T12:21:54+00:00

PiratesRugby

Guest


Welcome to the internet...

2014-06-02T12:17:39+00:00

Tane Mahuta

Guest


If it were just 1 dude I wouldnt be cranky now would I? Its more than 1 dude and it includes the ARU. 1 dude my a--.

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