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Today is a great day for Australian rugby. Israel Folau has been named at outside-centre for the first time in his rugby union career. Hallelujah.
It is worth noting just how significant this selection could be not only for the Waratahs but also the Wallabies. For it is at outside centre, not fullback, that we will see Folau have his greatest success in the game they play in heaven.
Is this so much of a surprise in any case? In late 2012, when Folau first signed to play rugby, many predicted his best position would be in the 13 jersey. Just as many assumed he would simply start on the wing in order to initially learn the game.
It was only the genius of Michale Cheika that realised fullback was the perfect position for him to learn the game. At fullback, he could watch the game and learn it from the best seat in the house. He could inject himself where he wanted and he could show us all his unparalleled catching of the high ball much more often than if he had played nothing but wing. It was this decision that allowed him to learn the game quicker than most other rugby league converts.
His surprising success at fullback has obviously been a blessing. He has consistently topped many attacking statistics over the previous three years and has been fantastic to watch. The problem is this has delayed his transition into the Number 13 jersey, much to Australia’s overall detriment.
Folau has played a lot of great rugby with 15 on his back, but his influence on games has been waning. He had a mediocre Rugby World Cup, not just because of a dodgy ankle. Teams had worked out how to limit his influence from the back by way of contestable high balls. Teams knew he would invariably take them, better than possibly anyone in the history of the game, but by making them contestable, defenders have easily been able to take him out of play.
This has resulted in Folau steadily morphing into a fullback who plays as much at outside centre as humanly possible, particularly in attack, just so he can get into any given game.
He is therefore more than ready to play at outside centre. The only question is, can he handle the stresses of front-line defence? As a former NRL centre, I doubt he will have much trouble adjusting to defence in the front-line. I’m sure there will be one or two cobwebs to get rid of, but we should allow him a couple of defensive errors initially for the greater good.
He has the size, he has the pace, he has the evasive skills and the offload to become the best outside centre in the world. I see him as a larger, stronger version of Brian O’Driscoll. That is great praise indeed, but he has that amount of potential.
“But what about Tevita Kuridrani?” I hear you say. There is no doubt he brings a direct running style. But he has neither the finesse nor the class of Folau.
Kuridrani’s World Cup was equally unimpressive as Folau’s was at fullback, let’s not forget that. The problem with Kuridrani is that, although he has moments of brilliance, these are few and far between because he is absolutely one dimensional.
An outside centre needs more to his game, and it is for that reason that I cannot wait to see Folau v Kuridrani on Saturday night, moreso than any other match up.
More importantly, I can’t wait to see how Folau fairs in the lead-up to the international Test series on the horizon. I hope to see him play nothing but outside centre for the remainder of his career.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.