It’s common knowledge Israel Folau has yet to re-sign with Rugby Australia for next years World Cup.
It’s also a given that if the champion try-scoring fullback isn’t on duty in Japan, the Wallabies have none and Buckleys of being in contention.
So why would Wallabies coach Michael Cheika deliberately risk losing Folau by selecting him on the wing for the clash with the Pumas on the Gold Coast tonight?
Especially as Cheika openly rates Folau as his best custodian, and it’s Folau’s favoured position.
“Everyone knows how highly I regard him as a 15, but Dane (Haylett-Petty) played pretty well as his replacement (injured) last week, and I’d like to give him another opportunity,” Cheika explained.
“Just something different, shake it up a bit, and see how it goes,” Cheika added.
That’s like Australian captain Bill Woodfull on the 1934 cricket tour of England saying he’ll bat the world’s best Don Bradman at seven because some lesser light filled in admirably at three when The Don was injured.
Woodfull would have been certified on the spot.
Obviously, Cheika can correct his decidedly odd call during the Test tonight.
However, the original selection shows scant respect for one of his best players.
And it’s not as if Cheika has a crash hot winning track record of just two from six this campaign, and a career 51 per cent from 51 Tests.
You’d reckon he would always pick his best players in their best positions.
Yet he’s prepared to switch his most prolific try-scorer on a flimsy whim despite winning the coveted John Eales Medal three times as a fullback.
Folau’s biggest asset is he sure knows where the white line is with 172 tries from 243 starts in both codes.
That’s broken up into 84 from 104 games of rugby league with the Storm, Broncos, Queensland Origin, and Kangaroos – and 88 from 139 games of rugby with the Waratahs and Wallabies.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
He’s a priceless asset to both codes.
There’s no doubt his marriage to Maria last year will play a major role in his decision for the future.
With rugby, he’s regularly on international flights with the Waratahs and Wallabies while rugby league offers far more home time.
In spite of where the 29-year-old ends up, rugby fans would feel a lot more comfortable about Israel Folau wearing gold in Japan next year if he is, in fact, wearing the 15 jersey tonight.
Of that, there’s no argument.
Stu
Roar Rookie
It's not just Folau though. The Wallabies have far too many players with no rugby intellect going on between the ears anymore.. Too much league influence these days, and Cheika's the architect. His game plan is impact line brutal rugby, and he purposely kills off all thought and spontaneity, imo. Of course, what would I know.. :-/
Armchair Sportsfan
Roar Rookie
"It’s also a given that if the champion try-scoring fullback isn’t on duty in Japan, the Wallabies have none and Buckleys of being in contention" If that's the case then David, it's a pretty damning indictment on your man Cheika, that the succes or failure of his team is completely reliant on one player.....
Sebastian Amor-Smith
Guest
Yet another article that I disagree with. Folau does not have the passing or kicking game of a fullback. His defence is average. He has been playing out of position since the Lions series. If he wants to be remembered as an all time great, he needs to be on the wing. Space, aerial attacks and he doesn’t have to pass. He is a finisher, plain and simple. Whilst I am here, Hooper is an average captain. His leadership and decision making skills will develop with each game. He is however, worth his weight in a gold jersey. He is a new age flanker, and he deserves more respect. Imagine Folau and Hooper running from the blindside wing or hard unders lines with Beales passing, and support play. Besides ‘Fanga’ and Foley on the pine, this is one of the best backlines the wallabies have had in a long time. Genia, Beale and Haylet-Petty to add poise in decision making. Hodge, Falou & Co to finish.
terrence
Roar Rookie
was watching the nrc just now..some good players coming though..english, petaia, dangunu amd ratu had blinders today..vast improvement also from quade..
woodart
Guest
top post paulo. absolutley nailed it!!!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
a World XV - not at FB would he be. Possibly at winger but the ABs have better wingers.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Mate, the BS going on above is not worth the time. Paulo is 100% spot on. He is not a good FB - good athlete and very limited in the FB position.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Folau is not a Mark Ella or a David Campese and never will be. He is a great athlete and a good winger, period.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Paulo, very well stated. It is a fact of the weaknesses that he should not be a FB. All are generally exposed in every game --- positional play, defence, tactical kicking, looking for work and knowing when and how to inject himself into play.
terrence
Roar Rookie
doubt folau will return to league while he still has value with wallabies..why would you want to go back to a small sport nobody in the world cares about?
terrence
Roar Rookie
don't need to..his record speaks for itself..highest try-scorer in current wallabies and 3-time john eales medal winner..
taylorman
Roar Guru
Foley created a try and denied anotger in his last start and got benched for it. With both players its not so much what they do well but more what they do poorly or not at all.
David Lord
Expert
Old One Eye, there's no footballer on the planet who can be compared to Winx who can win on any track condition and do it 27 times in succession. Mark Ella, and David Campese, are two of the very best rugby internationals I've seen in seven decades, but even they weren't perfect. But nobody ever gave any thought to selecting Ella away from 10, where he shone, and even though Campese played some games at fullback, especially during his early days, wing was where he had fans on their feet. I'll say the same for Israel Folau. He thrives on the extra space available at fullback, and he'll end up being the Wallabies second greatest try-scorer in history behind Campo. Let's see how much space the Wallaby inside backs give him on the wing tonight.
terrence
Roar Rookie
and where was the wallaby fb when barret scored 5 tries? yup..
Adam
Roar Guru
If Folau returns to league he will also only play on the wing as well. If he was to leave Aus rugby union it would be for union in Europe
David Lord
Expert
Totally wrong stillmissit, Israel Folau is no dummy-spitter, he'll give 100 per cent where he's picked because he's essentially a rock-solid team man, and I'm dead-set against player power that twice affected the Brumbies. My argument is Michael Cheika described Folau as the best fullback he's got, but switched him to the wing just to see how it goes. That line of thinking doesn't make any sense in any sport.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Folau is an excellent defender. Make sure you pay attention tonight.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Professional and respected rugby analyst Nic completely debunked this fantasy that Folau is ‘constantly out of position’ in a recent article. He played State of Origin and was a noted defender. What rubbish it is. Where was the AB fullback when the Argentine winger scored that first try last week? He did not even enter the frame.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Spot on mate. A flashy player with no real skills and a poor attitude
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
He wouldn’t make any world XV that was organised by someone knowing rugby. Sure he’d make one by a marketing person but since when do they ever know anything worthwhile