In what would be the most gut-wrenching decision of his spectacular career, Wallabies fullback Israel Folau must bow out of the Rugby World Cup final if his injured ankle won’t allow him to play 80 minutes at pace.
While no rugby fans would wish that decision on their worst enemy, the Wallabies cannot afford to take on the reigning champion All Blacks, the best team in the world, carrying a passenger.
From the moment Folau limped off Twickenham against England in the 65th minute on October 3, he has been troubled by the injury that has also cut deep into his confidence.
He can’t play his normal game.
Folau was well below par against Wales a week later, missed the Scotland game altogether, and shouldn’t have played against the Pumas where he was clearly restricted.
Watching Folau kick in the semi-final instead of taking on the defence in his typical attacking mode was there for all to see.
Let’s face it, Folau’s kicking is ordinary, one went within a whisker of an air-swing. That would have been the ultimate embarrassment.
On the other side of the coin, there’s no argument a full-bore attacking Folau can win the coveted Cup if fit, it’s as simple as that.
But it’s 23 days since the original ankle injury and he’s still not fully involved at training.
There are two other Wallabies – No.8 David Pocock and prop Scott Sio – who must be just as brutally honest about their fitness.
There’s precious little concern about Pocock’s calf injury that forced him out of the Scotland quarter-final. He well and truly lasted the distance against the Pumas while James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Scott Fardy, Stephen Moore, and Rob Simmons were replaced in the second half.
Pocock’s sporting a couple of black eyes as a result, but they are purely visible signs of the warrior’s tough battle up front.
It was another powerhouse performance from Pocock to again stamp himself as the frontrunner to be named the player of the tournament.
That would be an omen.
Only two Wallabies have won that honour – David Campese in 1991, and Tim Horan in 1999 – when the Wallabies won their two World Cups.
Sio missed the Pumas game with his elbow injury still causing some concern. But a fit Sio is definitely needed if the Wallabies scrum is to hold up against the renowned men-in-black pack from the get go.
Slipper is far more effective coming off the bench around the 50-60 minute mark.
In typical Michael Cheika mould, he won’t release his 23-man squad until the 11th hour – and that’s fair enough.
But the decisions that really count must be left to Folau and Sio.
Gunner
Guest
If Folau plays,fit or not, watch the high balls rain down on him. He will face the most severe test of his career. Good luck Israel.
abdul
Guest
wardad - best post of the RWC
Frontrow
Guest
Yep he was like the second coming of Jesus in Auckland...
Frontrow
Guest
Folau does not have a great record against the All Blacks...and indeed there has been several articles in SMH and Courier Mail in the last couple of years about his lack of effectiveness against the All Blacks in comparison to other nations and not much has changed The All Blacks know his kicking game is ordinary for a test fullback and put him under pressure inside his 22m line The other thing they do is kick just behind the defensive line forcing Folau to come forward to get the high ball..then with the best kick chases in the game - which the all Blacks certainly do have - they shut Folau down and bury him in a ruck and they are very good at it. Even fully fit Folau never really worries me as All Black fan - not really I just don't rate him the way David and others do - the best players step up consistently against the bests ( best) side and in the AB's case, Folau has been shut down too easily for most of the games he has played and makes poor decisions under pressure when he plays the All Blacks. IF Cheilja plays Folau with an injury like he already has, and in the final against the AB's, then he is not the coach Australia all claim he is and that tells you that it is he who is nervous not the All Blacks.. Beale is a different player but he can do the job well enough at the back and has plenty of gas as well. DC, Ben Smith and Aron Smith will pepper him all day with kicks... They don't give a toss about kicking to Folau David, negating your once claim that teams are afraid to kick to him - it is part of their tactic against him and it always seems to minimize his effectiveness - have you not noticed that other sides are now doing the same thing and have done in this WC? The All Blacks have cunningly turned his ability under the high ball into a strength for them to negate him - because he is not quick off the mark when he lands and needs to wind up... You say David that he can win the game on his own....no not against the AB's he can't... But then again you also said that - and yes David you did say this - that the Wallabies can't win the WC without him... So now its don't play an injured Folau....but then where does that leave your very firm proclamation prior and during the pool stages that the Wallabies can't win without him ? You can't have it both ways David... Unless you are now saying Folau can't play injured and because that we won't win...are you David? Fair question I think
Shrink
Guest
The ABs will love to see Folau on the pitch as he has been sound against them previously, without giving them any grief. David Kirk has called his ankle treatment - mismanagement.....for taking the field against Argentina, which has reduced his opportunity for the final.
cs
Guest
I'm confused Rugby Tragic, since I thought I recently read that you lived in Queensland and followed the Tahs? In any event, don't disagree with you in principle, except in that, like others, I can also see a scenario with Izzy starting with a bung ankle and going full tilt regardless, knowing that he's not going to last long. The likely result looks about 70/30 in New Zealand's favour to me. How open it becomes will, I guess, also depend on the scoring and the distribution of risks as it plays out. Early dominance by one side will see the other open up, and if they come back, so in turn the other, and so on. Depending on how he goes this weekend, suspect Carter might also be in the running for player of the tournament.
Noodles
Guest
David Lord is dog whistling. What he really means is that he wants KB to get a run. Time to shut up David. We are all hanging tight for the team here and this stuff can wait for post mortem blather.
Jackie Estacado
Roar Rookie
Was rubbish Kaino didn't get the award, was the best and most consistent player all season. Thierry had a few good games, the one that counted got him the consolation award. Pocock at least will get it deserved, even if it is consolation for losing.
Jackie Estacado
Roar Rookie
Cooper is the Savior. He must start.
Council
Guest
Heh you made me laugh out loud!
wardad
Guest
Oh the headline says Half FIT players ,I mis-read it .
TC123
Roar Rookie
Since when has a test against Argentina or Scotland been tougher than The French or Springboks? Many rugby fans mostly Australian were tipping the French to beat the All Blacks so they weren't that bad up until the quarter final. The All Blacks have also played Argentina, leaving the Wallabies with perhaps one tougher game on the way to the final. I agree Tony that the All Blacks will have their injury concerns which is why the bench is so important. As good as the Wallabies have been I think the All Black bench will prove the difference.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
It is my view that Folau either is on the run on side or not at all. By this I mean he should not take a a bench spot if he is not fit to go. I am sure that Michael Cheika is not that stupid. If his ankle injury is troubling him, I would be certain that the All Black kickers will find him out. Likewise Sio. If he is not right it would be a massive risk to play him as the Wallabies could be down a prop is another injury happens. I also think that the weeks suspension for Hooper and the fortnight off for Pocock's calf injury might in fact be a blessing in disguise in terms of being able to recharge their batteries. I can hardly wait for this weekend... the way the two finalists play, or are comfortable playing and open style I reckon will do wonders for the game. Its not to say the game will be loose and as open like the Argentina v Wallabies game but likewise I am not sure it will come down to a total forward battle either. Who will lift the trophy?.... I have no idea! I of course am hopeful that it will be the All Blacks but this is a 'one off', it is not part of a series so it comes down to the 80 mins or so this weekend, anything can happen, win and hoist the Webb Ellis Cup, lose and there is no retribution .. at least not until Japan in 2019. As for the WR player of the year... I would have thought Pocock would be a great choice but I suppose it is down to maybe 3 players... Pocock, Nonu and Ben Smth.
John
Guest
Lordy, what's unaccountable about an ankle injury? He was good against Fiji, rested against Uruguay and hurt himself against England...
John
Guest
Carries, metres, clean breaks, offloads, try assists and tries. Oh, and the best under the high ball.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Agree with a lot of this Joe, Nonu is a real handful and was a beast in Auckland amongst many. Gits is a very good defender, however at some stage I'd like to see the centres switch in defence with TK on Nonu. Hooper needs to be like a greyhound all game putting some pressure on the inside backs.
Joe
Roar Rookie
For the Wallabies to win they need Folau to play at full pace for at least 50 minutes. Beale can come on to finish the last 30. Pocock is a must even if he is 75% and Sio if he can play full pace for 40 minutes. Load them up with the relevant pain killers to get those minutes out of them. The other big worry apart from these three is how to stop Nonu. They didn't do a good job on him at Eden park even when they had Pooper on the field. Gits and Kuridrani need to be up there defensively and shut him down before he gets any momentum going. To this end Gits should be in his face tackling and then let Toomua come on around 55 mins to finish the job when SBW comes on. I'm also a bit concerned about Kuridrani who has played every game and has done a lot of defensive work throughout the tournament. He really struggles in the last 10 which is when the ABs usually up their game and there is no replacement for him unless they shift AAC to centres late. The again Kuridrani has also been the goto in a couple of close games - against SA in the RC and against the Scotland in the quarters. Hopefully its going to be a good game and worth the early morning wakeup.
Johnny Utah
Guest
Slipper has been terrible for at least 12 months, he offers nothing at the scrum and he lacks any sort of forward momentum when taking a hit up. Toby Smith has to be on the bench, but in my opinion Sio needs to play as much of the 80 as possible
taylorman
Roar Guru
According to our so called experts there is no way Cooper will be anywhere near the final.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He's only played them once since.... What players do we have who have not struggled against NZ? I think Cheika will go Cooper on the pine if Izzy is out but personally I think you either start him or omit him, he doesn't offer what you want on the bench.