Folau at 13 would prove unlucky for the Waratahs

I would agree with you WB. He has the physical attributes to be a good 12. He's a bit like SBW in the sense that he is a great athlete but really doesn't play as a natural Rugby player. I think he would be a very good attacking 13 but lacks the read of the game defensively which is the crucial role of a 13. (run the back line) At the end of the day I guess having a go never hurts but not to his detriment as a player.

I hope that Zac gets his off-field life on track as he is a very good player. He has recently acknowledged that having his Dad die in the stands of the U20 world cup final had a massive detrimental effect on his mental health ( as it would with anybody) and has lead to his drinking issues and other social issues; but he knows he does not have many chances (if any) after this.

Imagine how many breaks he would have made if Foley passed ever him the ball. Folau would be dud in the centres like Maroons champion Will Chambers was for the Reds. Izzy has one style of play reliant on mismatches with smaller opponents. Top level centre play requires the whole suite of rugby skills - Conrad Smith has the goods. At best, Folau could play wing.

I wrote a piece 2 years ago promoting Folau as 13 but never published. In my view the better players need their hands on the ball most often and this fits the bill. Guilford is only a finisher but a good one if he satys off the bottle. Beale is no #12 if Folau is the #13. Beale better suited to a roving commission on the wing but #15 would be o k at SR level. Gibson was a good midfield back in his day. Poorly treated in the coaching ranks at the crusaders by Blackadder so remains to be seen if he is head coach material. Blackadder is proving to be mediocre.

Only a VERY stupid coach would take any advice from David Lord

Firstly I am not criticising your line of questioning or thinking TWAS, because I have similar questions, although I do think he can push through tackles and has pretty good lateral movement for a big guy. I was actually picking up on you saying "I’m not criticizing Folau and how he has played. I am criticizing anybody who thinks a change of position is beneficial". So if Gibson, makes a decision to trial Folau at 13, don't you think he might know better than you what skills are required for that position and how to balance the back line to accommodate Folau playing at centre. And don't you think he would know better than you what would be benefial. A guy who earned 20 odd capps for the ABs in the centres and who is very highly regarded by both players and other coaching staff with respect to his coaching ability, especially of a backline. By all means, share a view as you have done. but why question or denigrate Gibson's, when he is a lot closer to Foalu, is far more aware of his capabilities, has a far greater pedigree in the position being discussed and so widely respected for his ability to develop and coach backlines than either you or David. Putting forward ideas on Folau and the composition of the Warratah backline as if they are facts and being critical of those that disagree (like possibly Gibson), seems pretty arrogant. David Lord's opinion clearly changes with the weather and is barely worth the time or effort to bother with, so my apologies for lumping your comment in with his. That was perhaps unfair.

Wasn't aware he had been having ongoing shoulder injuries for the first 8 years of his career.

Ben Smith was very good starting at 13 on the EOYT in 2013 for the All Blacks. The uneducated fan looks at the reduced number of tries scored and running metres made when Smith played 13 compared to when he started at right wing (he did not start regularly at 15 until this season, Dagg did) and falsely concludes Smith was less effective playing 13. However, the All Blacks would not have completed their perfect undeated season had Smith not played outstanding at 13. Do not be surprised when Malakai Fekitoa starts at 12 and Ben Smith shifts to 13 permanently, to extend his All Black career now that he approaches age 30, with Nehe Milner-Skudder or Beauden Barrett starting at 15 in 2016.

I disagree with so much written, where to start. First, did you ever watch or play any rugby. The reality is the number on your back has little to do with where you are. The modern game has weak defensive fly halves defending at 15. Blind wingers defending at 12. And so on and this is only at first phase then all bets are off and the team has to adjust constantly. I think now you look at how you want to play or the strengths of your squad to determine who has which number. Horne is no 12, is a ridiculous comment he came to the wallabies as a 13 who then was pushed out to the wing and defends at 10/12 for the Wallabies, so he already plays half the game at the position for a higher level than Super Rugby. Beale with any number on his back is still going to be the second playmaker no loss of the link with the 10. Folau makes tacklers miss wherever he is, and isn't a genuine speed option that only needs space. Guildford needs to earn his spot....LOL it's December and no trial match have even been played, plenty of time to decide if he is up to it. As for Carraro as a better option well I think even Matt will admit, on paper which is what we are talking about, the most talented backline has Mr Dependable on the bench. Go back and come up with a reasonably thought out argument.

Markus... I think Beale's situation had more to do with his shoulder injury issues. And once he regained confidence that the injury was sorted we saw him doing much better in his defence.

Beale plays wing in defence. And until the end of last season where he finally started committing to tackles, it was more a case of hiding on the wing than actually being used there tactically in defence.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75202929/Richie-McCaw-absent-from-international-rugby-team-of-the-year?cid=app-android Fardy ahead of kaino?? Really? Wynn jones ahead of Rettallick?

Interesting you say "Regain" it's almost like they deserve it, the custodians . Guess the Reds are also ready to regain the title in 2016!

Kerevi and Folau 12 and 13 combination to make up for the lack of tackle point impact? I suppose that would then be Beale at fullback supplying a second playmaking option. It has potential, though I still don't see it as the best option. In spite of a bit of a lull period, Kuridrani has been among the Wallabies best players, and Folau is still hands down the best Australian fullback.

That's a very good team you've got there Nobrain.

Ben Smih had considerable less impact at 13 than he did from fullback or wing, and that move probably took him out of contention for POTY. Piutau was good in a disappointing back line for the blues but I still think is a better fullback and winger. Has kriel not played a fair bit of the centre position before, no? I thought Ireland's centres were fairly average in the world cup. Folau would do a reasonable job at centre, but I just feel that it is not to the strength of the overall team. One of his weaker skills is positioning in defence, and 13 would expose that aspect of the game. If they do play Folau at 13, it will be interesting to see, and all the best to a successful change. I just hope it doesn't step him back from still learning skill sets in defence and kicking from fullback, if it not not work out for him at 13.

I wasn't aware saying "Folau will not be as effective because his best attributes have been X, Y and Z which are more used at 15" is speculation. It's almost the opposite of speculation because it's citing specific evidence to support the view.

"What the?"

All those smaller 13s you use as example play outside bigger 12s. You don't need to be a freight train if Ma'a Nonu is the man inside of you sure.

Because neither Smith and O'Driscoll play in a team that has a smaller 12 as their option like the Waratahs have had and like the Wallabies do. Australia has traditionally used more creative 12s and bigger more physical 13s.