Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has flagged a move away from fullback for Israel Folau in his last match of 2017 against the Barbarians.
Folau will take a break from rugby after Saturday night’s clash at Allianz Stadium, having reached an agreement with Cheika several months ago to be rested from the end-of-year tour Tests against Japan, Wales, England and Scotland.
It’s a decision Cheika believes will not only make the 28-year-old a better player – and ensure he is refreshed for the long through to the World Cup – but also make the Wallabies a better team.
Folau’s absence means a new fullback will need to be found for the upcoming tour, and Cheika said he will likely treat the match against the Alan Jones-coached Barbarians as a good chance to look at his options.
“I might play someone else there, you never know,” Cheika said.
“Maybe (I’ll) move Izzy around, let him run a different position for this game.
“We’ll find the right solution as we come into the week and try to maybe even use that as a bit of a preparation for the tour going ahead.”
Folau has previously played on the wing for the Wallabies while there were strong calls last year for him to be shifted to outside centre.
Meanwhile, Karmichael Hunt is considered the leading candidate for the No.15 jersey on tour.
Hunt missed selection for the third Bledisloe Cup victory over New Zealand but proved in June he was well-equipped to handle the rigours of Test rugby and plays his Super Rugby at fullback for Queensland.
“He brings a big presence there and he’s an experienced player, he’s got X-factor. He’s definitely a player I’d consider for that role,” Cheika said.
Other contenders include Kurtley Beale and Reece Hodge, who are both current starters and would leave vacancies at inside centre and on the left wing if they were to cover for Folau.
That could provide Cheika with even more more scope to experiment with those positions as he seeks to add depth to the national ranks.
“The Barbarians match in particular… it’s a game I’m really looking forward to because this is going to be an opportunity for a lot of guys who have been training hard, working hard for their teammates and haven’t had the chance to put the jersey on,” he said.
“This is going to be it.
“And there might be room for a bolter or someone to come on the tour.”
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Timbo, Sio fixed that by the RC. He has been fantastic in the scrum against South Africa, Argentina and the All Blacks. Scrummaging has always been Slipper's achilles heel anyway.
In brief
Guest
Yeah he's hopeless can't even beat the ABs...wait a sec...
PeterK
Roar Guru
wallabies performed better in the second half when Tui was on and Simmons off
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Everyone rubbishes Simmons, but it can't be a coincidence that the wallabies perform better when he's in the team. He does all the little things well.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
We don't win the the 2019 RWC unless the England and AB teams are both on the same Shinkansen when it de-rails.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Great over the ball and around the park, but against an experienced opposition he can't seem to keep his corner of the scrum out of the dirt. The Scrum penalties against Scotland Hurt us, Robertson didn't help either. Seems a little bit better under TPN's arm, the Hooker has a significant contribution to the LH's potency. Surprising given the length of time Moore spent at the Ponies, I would have thought that they would have better synergy..
Marto
Guest
Well he is hiding him.. I predicted Cheika will be a chicken and protect his pets from this game..Why not play him..Scared QC will carve him up ?? The sooner Chuckles Chieka goes the better ...
Bing
Guest
Hahaha funny. Yeah it’s hard watching him kick for goal and kick in general play. I do like how he guides the team around in general play though.
Riddler
Guest
Yeah.. that is so what he is doing. But tks anyway for the comment. .
Riddler
Guest
Mate very true.. We have let a lot of talent slip through.. to be fair though some start good and don't kick on whereas others don't set the world on fire and then kick.. Of the recent mob jesse mogg, I would have loved to stay in qld and now banks.. Both should have been given spots over a handful of names.. As for gordon i have seen him play a few times for the tahs and I liked what I saw. . One of those guys who seems to have more time than the rest of us.. I have a sneaking feeling we will do the soap dodgers matey. . Will have a few quid on it when i can.. Picked up a few on the weekend.. so I am on a roll!!
Fionn
Guest
Riddler, the Brumbies have built a career out of the talent ignored by the Reds and the Waratahs. If either team was smart they'd poach the Brumbies' scouts :D Still, things should be looking up for all of the Aussie teams next year I think. Reds have a lot of young talent, good assistant coach in Tony. Agree Gordon looks good too. Possibly a really explosive finisher from the bench in the last 20 mins?
Riddler
Guest
Stiles really screwed the pooch in loosing banks.. Great gain for the brumbies but I can think of atleast 3 (4 if am being greedy) reds I would have sacrificed .. Hoping that he gets on the eoyt tour .. Could be a revelation if he gets a shot, like Gordon I feel..
Riddler
Guest
Yep agreed 100%.. Great experience for him so soon after all he has been through. . I was a huge fan of his before his debut.. and still feel that if he wasn't injured in the first minutes of that bil test we would have won..big call I know but he was in majestic form and his goalkicking was spot on. Toomau copped another knock sadly on the weekend. .Hopefully he will be okay.. Unfortunately it seems he will be up this way for a while.. Would love him to be back in Oz. . A back line with him, tk, folau, beale and hunt and obviously with foley directing would be bliss...
Fionn
Guest
Sio is playing brilliantly! Career best form in my opinion.
Fionn
Guest
Shame. Hopefully he can get back to the player he was. I guess he must really be appreciating his rugby though.
Fionn
Guest
Cuw, have you seen Foley play his last few matches at 10?
riddler
Guest
fionn watched cll last night against la rochelle... he got pulled just after half time... a few kicks that didn't find touch, few missed tackles not a great game for the guy sadly.. the guy who replaced him had some nice touches and boy could he kick.. still rochelle were immense especially vito.. he was brilliant..
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I would like to see him get back to form and start.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Lets not delude ourselves, Beale has been playing defensive fullback for the entire RC. If you like what Beale has been doing, let Beale insert in attack, drop back in defense, Hunt does all the heavy lifting in D in the 12 channel. It plays to both players strengths.
Rugnut
Guest
No doubt chieka is hiding Foley from QC