Over the last six months there has been a lot of talk as to where Israel Folau should play.
Upon moving to rugby and also from making his Wallabies debut against the British and Irish Lions in 2013 on the wing, Izzy proved himself as an attacking and try-scoring machine.
He was moved to fullback after just six Tests. His incredible attacking form continued throughout his first two international seasons and people were talking about him being a future true Wallaby great.
He scored 15 tries in 21 Tests.
However, since 2015 Folau has suffered a severe drop in form, at least in terms of scoring tries. He has only scored five in his last 27 Tests.
That is not to say that tries are all that counts, or that this can be contributed entirely to him. He is no longer the unknown quality he once was. Teams have worked out better to defend against him – such as by kicking high balls and swarming him with defenders. For a while the Wallabies’ attack was not very effective.
It must be admitted, however, that Folau is not a natural counter-attacker from deep in his own half.
Neither does he possess a strong or accurate kick.
Folau was still beating defenders, but he was no longer the prolific attacking and try-scoring weapon he was just a few seasons ago.
During the 2016 Super Rugby season, following an initial few rounds of again being underwhelming Folau was switched to 13. He proved a revelation, at least in terms of attack, and topped the competition’s try-scoring tally.
Despite this fact Cheika has insisted on keeping him at 15 for the Wallabies. Part of this is likely due to the fact that, while not a terrible defender, the 13 channel is probably the hardest to defend in.
All through the Rugby Championship Folau has continued to underwhelm to a certain extent. Samu Kerevi has been a greater attacking weapon in almost every match, and even Dane Haylett-Petty has proven himself a better counter-attacker from deep.
Additionally, Australia had two other brilliant options at 13 in the dynamic Kerevi, and the defensively awesome Tevita Kuridrani – he made 17/17 tackles in the first Bledisloe Test, after which he was unceremoniously dropped.
However, with Kerevi’s injury and Reece Hodge rather young and underwhelming to a certain extent it may be time to switch Folau in the centres.
But not at 13.
He still does not have the defensive abilities necessary to defend at 13 internationally.
He might on the other hand, have the ability to defend at 12. Additionally, being closer in would mean he would get more of the ball and therefore have more opportunities to show off his attacking abilities.
The Wallabies would then be able to play the defensively fantastic Kuridrani outside of him.
Long-term, this would mean that Australia would have four fantastic prospects in the centres: Folau, Kerevi, Kuridrani and Hodge.
Real depth in a position is something that Australia has struggled with for a long time. A full strength Wallabies side can match it with anyone in the world aside perhaps the All Blacks, but just a few injuries can ravage and largely ruin the team.
Four strong centres all of whom should be around for the 2019 World Cup would be fantastic for Australia’s prospects.
It would also mean that Dane Haylett-Petty or Kurtley Beale could play at their preferred position at fullback.
I will admit I have long preferred Folau playing on the wing, and suspect that this may still be his best position. That being said, the autumn internationals of the first year after a World Cup is the perfect time to Test Folau at 12.
If he fails at 12, switch him to the wing where has already proven he is fantastic. If he succeeds at 12 then all the better.
For is a wing pairing of Marika Koroibete and Sefa Naivalu really so horrible?
No it is not.
John
Guest
I'm happy to discuss it with you Taylorman. Folau doesn't need to "get a read on how the backline operates"...the Australian halves and backs inside (or outside) him need to step up around him. At the moment we don't have players capable of doing so. Fact is he has dominated wing, centre and fullback at all levels in union, including the last Bledisloe when as an individual he monstered your boys. I appreciate it probably frustrates you and others, but not alll of the world's best players are rugby born and bred, or Kiwis. Folau happens to be neither and dominates the sport. Such if life.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Once again, so what? I was discussing where I think they should play him, and all you want to do is respond by quoting which awards he won. How about you go find someone who wants to discuss his greatness perhaps? Good luck with that.
John
Guest
They weren't schoolboy awards Taylorman, though it's nice of you to recognise he was a schoolboy when he won them. In history there hasn't been anyone as good as Folau was when he started rugby league aged 17, nor has there been anyone as good as him when he started rugby union. He's 27 years old and looks after himself impeccably so will play for another 10 years of Union if he stays in the code. Enjoy it.
taylorman
Roar Guru
So what? It wasn't an invite for you to once again get out his junior schoolboy awards.
John
Guest
Lol Taylorman, Folau has been the best player in Australian Rugby since the day he walked into the sport. That is not hyperbole, it is fact. Reiko Ioane is a good young player but he is not Israel Folau. Not a criticism, also fact. By the same age (19) Folau had played over 60 NRL games, scored over 50 NRL tries, won a Premiership, two State of Origin Series, was a regular Kangaroo Test player (youngest in history aged 18) Ad well as Dally M Winger and Dally M Centre of the Year.
John
Guest
Wrong Browny, Folau remains the only consecutive John Eales Medallist in history. Wrong also MOC - both teams have won those titles as a result of Folau.
Browny
Roar Rookie
Folau was the only consecutive JE medalist at the time of writing but now shares that honour with Hooper.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Sure he has been in some successful teams but in RL he was individually probably the best winger in the world with his aerial skills but in RU he can not kick, is not particularly fast and is not known for his defence making him nowhere near the best in the world in any backline position.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yep, so maybe Folau would do okay. I say give him a go, especially against some of the lesser teams (ie not England) and see if it works out. If it is successful keep him there at least until the end of the season. If unsuccessful, move him to the wing. Longterm, I still see a pairing of Kerevi and Kuridrani or Hodge or Kerevi to more likely be ideal, but perhaps Folau can prove me wrong and be the Aussie SBW.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Bryan Habana does an okay job at 11. Highest try-scorer in history against tier 1 teams.
stainlesssteve
Guest
great idea start him at second five, move him to the wings after twenty minutes, both wings at once, for another twenty, then back to the bench for ten to lull the opposition into a false sense of security, then five minutes at fullback and back to first five for the rest brilliant
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Fionn - he is a winger - first, second and last. He is not suited to any other position as a Rugby Player. He is not and never will be an SBW. Winger or bench - nothing else!!
PeterK
Roar Guru
SBW 's passing isn't crash hot but he is a 12
PeterK
Roar Guru
he would rarely get the ball
taylorman
Roar Guru
ABs new winger Reiko Ioane is very much in the Folau mould at a younger age. Similar physique I'm guessing and I think there's a lot of similarities with their ball carrying. Ioane is young and despite playing mostly at Centre ABs are starting him on the wing. That's where I think Folau should start if he's to come into the line proper. Get a read on how the backline operates from that perspective and focus on getting some straight line speed carrying on the wing. His finishing is missing from his earlier test career even though he's performed well at Centre at S rugby. Just think he'll be marked as he was at Eden park running from there. He made some strong runs but always went down, with the ball. Be surprised if he ends up at 13 long term for the Wallabies though.
nigel brown
Roar Rookie
I thought he was the best Fullback in the world... Well thats what some so called experts were saying at the start of the year. Oh and a couple of other Wallabies were also the best in the world in there positions.With all these so called Super Stars in the Wallabies they should be winning more than what they are. We dont hear the ABs saying they have Super Stars.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Fionn Concur 100% - at least give it a good look. Cheers KP PS - IF's capacity to off-load & set up tries, not just score them, is under-rated in my view. PPS - if he can jump for tries at wing, why not jump for up & under's closer to centre field too :-)
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Couldn't Folau play at 11?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
On the other hand if his passing is good enough, his defence is solid enough with Kuridrani outside of him, he could be really devastating—especially with his offloading game.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I don't think a 12 necessarily needs to be a "second 5", I always think that term emphasises too much playmaking ability. But I will admit it remains to be seen whether Folau has the passing ability to play at 12. I don't think he is the longterm solution at 12 (but I would love to be proven wrong), but the only way to prove this is to at least try him.