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If the Waratahs are to regain the Super Rugby title they won in such nail-biting fashion two years ago, the real Israel Folau must return.
Forget the Rugby World Cup.
When Folau injured his ankle against England in the Wallabies’ third game, it was far more serious than we were led to believe.
Folau was but a shadow of himself, playing three games to the final, missing Scotland in the quarters.
In short, that ankle injury made Folau’s Cup campaign a nightmare, and that severely dented the Wallabies chances.
Today Folau is fit after surgery, and so keen to resume he’s signed with the Waratahs until 2018.
That’s the good news, now the bad.
New head coach Daryl Gibson is toying with Folau wearing the 13 jersey next season, Kurtley Beale the 15.
What the?
Why would anyone think of restricting Folau’s space, the very lifeblood of his strike-power?
And take Beale’s strike-power away from wearing 12, killing off the superb understanding he has with fly-half Bernard Foley, with Folau chiming in from full-back off Beale.
That threesome were instrumental in winning the Super Rugby title in 2013, so why would Gibson give one second of thought to completely destroying that combination?
Gibson’s intended backline reads Nick Phipps (9), Foley (10), Kiwi Zac Guildford (11), Rob Horne (12), Folau (13), rugby league convert Reece Robinson (14), and Beale 15.
There’s so much wrong with that order.
Never ever pigeon-hole Folau, he’s an open space man, and Beale would be the first to admit he’s a 12, and only a 15 when Folau’s injured.
Horne is not a 12, he’s a winger, and Guildford is a hot-head who has won 11 All Black caps,and two Maori All Black caps. But let him prove he’s reformed before entrusting him with a run-on selection.
No thanks, with the exception of the 28-year-old Reece Robinson who is a significant signing from the Parramatta Eels after stints with the Broncos and Raiders, netting 57 career tries.
Robinson is quick, very quick,
There’s a far better backline available – try Phipps (9), Foley (10), Horne (11), Beale (12), Matt Carraro (13), Robinson (14), and Folau 15.
Carraro is very under-rated. He has speed, ball-sense, rugby brains, and a solid defender who knows when to pass and when to retain possession.
He will serve Horne and Robinson much better than Adam Ashley-Cooper who is playing with Bordeau.
On another track, Gibson must find a second halfback to support Phipps in a hurry. So far he’s the only one on the roster with Brendan McKibbin playing with London Irish
Up front, Gibson has a big pack with plenty of grunt
A front-row of ageless Benn Robinson, Tatafa Polota-Nau, and Chiefs signing Angus Ta’avao, Wallaby locks Will Skelton and Dean Mumm, and a backrow of Sam Lousi, Michael Hooper, and Dave Dennis.
But having a competitive pack won’t mean a toss if Gibson selects an out-of-position backline.
He has 73 days to change his mind to the first game against arch-rivals Reds at Allianz Stadium.