Fullback Israel Folau is emerging as a serious World Cup outside centre option for the Wallabies after outpointing incumbent Tevita Kuridrani.
Handed dual responsibility by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to counter attack from fullback and step into the centres for set plays, Folau delivered a masterclass in the NSW Waratahs’ 28-13 defeat of the Brumbies on Sunday.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham suggested Kuridrani could be the best centre in the world when he re-signed with the franchise last week.
But Larkham was left lamenting how Folau beat four Brumbies defenders to break his season try-scoring duck, while healso set up NSW’s other two five-pointers with classy involvement and offloads.
“I’m really enjoying being a lot closer to the action and yesterday’s team performance was great and it’s just good to be on the back-end of that, getting a bit of space out wide,” said Folau on Monday.
“It’s always nice to cross the line for a try but, for me, I was more satisfied by the work by the team and providing opportunities was something I was happy about.”
In contrast, Kuridrani lent some weight to Wallaby great David Campese’s criticism that “never passes the ball”, before suffering a shoulder injury and departing Sydney with his right arm in a sling.
With Kuridrani facing scans and on-going uncertainty over Adam Ashley-Cooper’s knee injury problem, Cheika will surely contemplate switching Folau from fullback to the centres for the Wallabies as they gear up for the World Cup later in the year.
Folau said “for sure” he’d be up for the challenge “if asked”.
“It probably goes back to what’s best for the team and, if given that opportunity, I’d try to make the most of it,” he said.
“It’s just unfortunate for Tevita. Hopefully his injury is not too bad.
“I’m not sure where Adam’s at at the moment but as a team we’re hopeful that he’ll be back in the (Waratahs) side as soon as possible.”
Folau was enjoying his staged positional transition for the Waratahs.
“I’m trying to adapt as quick as I can according to the situations that we’re in,” Folau said.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost Adam a couple of weeks ago and Cheik’s probably seen it as the best thing for the team and I’m just trying to doing my role for the team.”
Folau rated the Waratahs’ commanding victory over the Brumbies as the champions’ most powerful performance of the season.
It also reduced the Brumbies’ lead over the Waratahs in the Australian conference to six points.
“We hadn’t spoken about being on top of the conference but for most players it probably sits in the back of their mind.”
Combesy
Roar Guru
Cooper, JOC, turner, kerevi, Holmes, Robinson and Daley all back this week. Simmons, hunt and tui should all be back against the rebels. That's 8 Test players and 2 hopeful coming back into the squad. Should do us wonders, let's just hope RG has a game plan
jameswm
Guest
Behind Folau - as well as the guy who benefited from those missed tackles I'd say. Big T.
jameswm
Guest
No I did say a big if for Hunt. If he can excel there for the Reds, basically. Is he back this game? Is JOC playing? Horwill? Holmes? Cooper? Simmons? Kerevi? Geez, the Reds really have been decimated by injuries. Just about all their Wallaby squad hopefuls injured. Slipper and Genia the only two of their best players who have been playing regularly - plus Kiwi Thompson.
Rugby.ftw
Guest
Did you watch the game on the weekend. Joe T was awesome looked dangerous everytime he touched the ball, don't know how many line breaks he made but it must have been a few. He did miss a few tackles I'll admit but was the most dangerous brumbies back and probably behind Folau for both teams. Also I think he's leading in linebreaks for the entire comp. probably needs to work on defence but he has a tight grip on one of those wallaby wing spots IMO.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
A shuffling defensive line is a recipe for disaster.
ben
Guest
9 Phipps 10 Toomua 11 Speight 12 Kurandrani 13 Folau 14 Cummins 15 O'Connor. 12, 13 & 15 are interchangeable forfielding and clearing kicks and attack and defence situations. Bench White, Foley, AAC with backup from Genia, Cooper, Beale, AAC and Tomane.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
I sure hope he is RT. We need more nice guys in sport, home & society generally. It's said that bad news sells. But wouldn't it be good to focus on happy events & decent people more?
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
its just a number on his back... he should wear the no he wants and play him the exct way the tahs have been doing these past few years.. ahybrid version of centre and fullback
jutsie
Guest
of the players currently playing fullback for their super 15 Im finding it hard to think of one who could slot in for the wallabies if izzy went down. Turner and harris at least have wallaby experience but neither really excelled at that level. coleman Is too small and I don't even know who is playing 15 for the force at the moment. Shame that morohan and mogg have both gone of the boil. Of the three you have named I would be most comfortable with JOC at 15, he may not have excelled at 15 for the wallabies (although I remember him scoring 3 tries on debut in that position) but he has the attributes to play well there, also he has less probability to go pear shaped like beale does. Hunt I think shouldnt even be considered till he strings a number of good games together for the reds.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Folau only outpointed TK because the Brumbies backline didn't tackle Folau when he had the ball. TK played well and he has a propensity not to pass the same as AAC. But he is only young and can learn from this. Joe T on the wing is the weak link in the brumbies side he missed tackles right throughout the game and catches the ball with cement hands. I have no idea why people rate this guy. He makes more mistakes than he does good things on the field. This is entirely my opinion only. The Tahs got quick phase ball throughout the game and the Brumbies did not. The forwards for the Tahs won this game. And just a bit on the Homophobic slur. While I have no truck with prejudice regarding racial, gender or sexual preference, I do however think that what is said on the pitch should remain on the pitch. We as a society are becoming far to politically correct to the point of being ridiculous. I do not know what POts said and care not to enquire but D P seems to be the Quixote style of person, tilting at windmills. I wish Pocock and all others would just play rugby, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me"' is what I was taught as a boy and it has stood me in good stead throughout my life. I wish society would just give it a break and not be soooo intense about all this sort of stuff. Just play rugby
Markus
Guest
It's a concern that when Folau is mentioned at 13, the choices to replace him at fullback are someone who has not played a good game there since 2010 (Beale), someone who has never played a good game there for the Wallabies (JOC, and has he at Super Rugby level either for that matter?) and someone who hasn't even played there yet in this code.
Markus
Guest
Was wondering that too. I was at the game and there was no evidence that what Folau was doing was playing a dual-role. He was in the line in the outside channels in attack when the opportunity was there, as would be par for the course for any fullback. If he isn't defending the 13 channel, he isn't a 13.
Jameswm
Guest
Yep, you're always optimistic about the Wallaby chances.
Jameswm
Guest
With them all fit TK is a lock for 13. If TK is injured, Folau is an option at 13. JOC, Beale and Hunt (big if) are options at 15.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
The more I read bits like this the more I get the feeling things will really go pear shaped for the Wallabies this year ... out at the group stage is looking a very likely scenario ..
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
13 in attack, 15 in counter-attack* *Only if TK is injured or underperforming. Only if done right and works with the overall setup of the team. I believe he has the ability to do it as an individual but if it's not clicking smoothly with the rest of the backline then it needs to be one or t'other.** ** have I just described a roving 15?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Hasn't he been defending at 15 and playing 13 in attack?
dru
Roar Rookie
What is surprising is the lack of info on AAC. Anyone know what is going on? Injury sounds like part of the story.
RT
Guest
Is it possible that Folau is as nice a guy as he appears? I know it's cynical but after the fall from grace of sporting legends like Lance Armstrong or more recently Karmichael Hunt I'm jaded but Folau seems to be the real deal. An incredibly gifted athlete with a strong work ethic and a genuinely nice caring individual. Long may he stay in Australian rugby.
RobC
Roar Guru
me2