NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson is demanding superstar centre Israel Folau gets more ball in Friday night’s Super Rugby crunch match with the table-topping Chiefs.
Gibson has relegated David Horwitz to the bench and moved Wallabies winger Rob Horne to inside centre to partner Folau in the midfield in his ongoing quest to maximise the dual international’s talents.
The reshuffle is sure to stiffen up the Tahs defensively, but the Australian conference leaders lose their second ball player in Horwitz.
Gibson is comfortable with that as he is offering Folau a roving commission at Allianz Stadium.
“I’m still trying to get that (centre) combination right without (injured Kurtley) Beale and searching for the right combination,” he said on Thursday.
“The positive is our big players – our Wallabies – are playing particularly well and, as simple as it seems, we’ve got to get the ball to Folau.
“Obviously with David, he had two full games, an opportunity there, and I don’t think he quite nailed it.
“I’m willing to give someone else a go.”
After starting the season with Folau at fullback, Gibson now views the code hopper as “that up-front ball player” five games into his transition to outside centre.
But he wants the John Eales Medallist bobbing up everywhere and says he will not only interchange with Horne in the centres, but also attack from the back.
“We want to maximise Israel’s abilities, both defensively and catching high balls, which has become a real trend in the game over the last three or four months,” Gibson said.
“So expect to see him at the back catching high balls and at the front attacking with the ball.”
Most pundits are tipping the Waratahs to relinquish top spot in the Australian conference – and a guaranteed finals berth – to the Brumbies, who have a much easier run home with games against the Sunwolves, Queensland Reds, Blues and Western Force.
But not so the Waratahs, who finish the regular season against the Sunwolves, Hurricanes and Blues after hosting the competition leaders.
“We’re in control of our own destiny,” said skipper Michael Hooper.
In a blow to their finals hopes, the Waratahs will be without emerging back-rower Jed Holloway not only on Friday night but for the rest of the 2016 campaign after deciding he needs shoulder surgery.
The 23-year-old will be sidelined for four months.
“Disappointing for Jed,” Gibson said.
“He was really in contention for a Wallabies position and pushing hard for that.”
John
Guest
Lol. Any chance you saw the game last night boys? 2 tries, 1 try assist, 3 line breaks, 6 defenders beaten, 210m+. #JGITF
taylorman
Roar Guru
Personally id focus more on getting it to Guilford. Theyve failed to do that as well. Chiefs are more likely to gang up on Folau anyway.
mania
Guest
folau doesn't have the rugby experience to have a roaming commission. he hasn't played rugby long enough to know when and where to insert himself where he'll be most effective on offense while still fulfilling his defensive positioning. didn't the crusaders limit folou's game to one opportunistic break out. rest of the time I thought saders had folau's number. mind u saders had all of the tah's number that day
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
doesn't matter where he plays - he wont make a difference to the TAHS....Gibson went to CHCH thinking as an old boy of the Saders that he had a plan to beat them...well HELLOOOOOO...he got his but spanked good and proper and the TAHS showed how bad they are...FOLLOW caught a couple of kicks and 1 line break and that was it....he is of course AUSTRALIA's next sliced bread....ummm NOT
Harry
Guest
Folau is sure going to miss Beale who creates the openings for him to run into. Agree don't know how he is going to play centre and fullback at the same time.
cuw
Guest
LOL so were back to a different tune in the same vein ? i recall like a couple of seasons ago it was JGITF = JUST GIVE IT TO FOLAU :) but on a serious note , is Folau going to play at fullback with 13 on his back , like he did last week? dont think Cruden the smooth operator will kick staright to him though :P
chracol
Guest
Yeah the Brumbies have the easier run but who would have thought after their start that they'd be where they are now - equal points with the Blues. Maybe the Tahs can upset the Chiefs. They got smashed in the first 20 last Friday night and never recovered despite a lot of hard work from most of the team. Folau is going to be busy. At the back for a kick, at the front for a run and that's just attack. Dave Rennie will plan to keep him out of the game and he'll only get into the game if his forwards go forward so it'll be a big night for Palu and Skelton, especially after their inclusion in an Australian squad. Chiefs by 6-10 I'd say.