Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson created headlines and discussion last week for doing something he did briefly last year and then forgot about or just ignored: he named Israel Folau on the right wing for the Waratahs return to the SCG against the Queensland Reds.
As was the case when he did the same thing for a month last year, Folau being shuffled out to the wing was forced by the form of other players. Last year it was the impact from fullback that Bryce Hegarty was providing; this year it’s the irresistible balance that Karmichael Hunt brings to the Waratahs backline at inside centre.
Hunt’s combination with Adam Ashley-Cooper has perhaps been the most surprising subplot among all the various Australian conference subplots.
There was certainly a train of thought during the preseason that it could work as a combination, but I’m not sure anyone subscribing to this theory thought it would work quite as well as it has.
And it has worked very well – so well that Kurtley Beale couldn’t walk back in the No. 12 jersey he wore all last year, meaning he was pushed back to fullback, with the flow-on being that Folau was named on the right wing, something that has become so dumbfoundingly obvious over the last 18 months or so yet still has an infuriating air of novelty about it when it happens.
The argument that Folau is the best fullback in Australia is now paper-thin.
If the form of Dane Haylett-Petty this season and in last year’s internationals – where he started at 15 for a bunch of Tests before Michael Cheika developed the same sort of amnesia that plagued Gibson – as well as a decent highlight reel from Tom Banks in 2019 already doesn’t further erode the case, then being the first player moved out of position at the Waratahs to accommodate another player’s positional move surely does.
And if that’s still not enough to convince you of the obvious benefits of Folau’s permanent presence on the right edge, then let’s just go back to the 23rd minute of Saturday night at the Grand Old Girl.
The Waratahs, leading 13-0, have reduced the Reds to 14 men, after prop JP Smith copped a yellow card a few minutes earlier, and from which backrower Ned Hanigan scored under the posts after a bruising out-in line to bump through a couple of defenders.
The Tahs take a scrum just inside their half and in the centre of the field, forcing Queensland to shuffle forward and get young loosehead Harry Hoopert onto the field. Jake Gordon feeds the scrum, the Waratahs win it well, and Gordon picks up and goes to the right, already with the jump on his opposite number Moses Sorovi, who lagged back at the scrum.
Hunt is out to Gordon’s right back on the ten-metre line, but the focus is on Beale further out to Hunt’s right and also on the ten-metre line as they start their attack.
Karmichael Hunt of the Waratahs. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Gordon beating Sorovi means the Waratahs have already created a three-on-two. Beale holds a straight line at Reds inside centre Duncan Paia’aua, while Gordon is eyeing off flyhalf Hegarty, now a Queenslander.
Gordon passes just as he gets to halfway, but it’s not to Beale, it’s to Hunt, who had by now switched to an outside line looping around the back. The speed with which Paia’aua came up on Beale meant that Hunt was already three, maybe four metres outside him and clear in the instant the ball reached him.
Hunt is still comfortably 20 metres in from touch, but Reds left winger Sefanaia Naivalu a similar distance away from him is already back-pedalling.
But from what? Hunt is the last player in the frame for NSW at that point.
Hunt straightens, Naivalu must come forward again to engage Hunt, and the ominous figure of Folau looms in the outside channel still in at least 15 metres of clear air as Hunt gets the ball to him. For viewers at home he’s literally come from nowhere.
It’s a superbly well-worked move from NSW; Beale’s straight decoy line is crucial in keeping Paia’aua focussed on the inside and the danger as Hunt gets around his outside with Folau lurking on that beautiful right-hand edge line that he runs is that the Reds are about to made to look very silly.
As it happens, as Folau edges further right getting ready to load up his right-foot step, young Reds fullback Isaac Lucas brings him down in a copybook legs tackle and suddenly Sorovi and Hegarty are there, as are backrowers Scott Higginbotham and Liam Wright.
Wright brought Folau back to ground after the winger thought he’d been released, and this was enough for referee Glen Jackson to ping Folau for not releasing the ball.
So for all the beauty of the attacking move and the space it created, the Waratahs actually coughed up possession.
But it also spoke volume for the effectiveness of their attack now encouraged by Gibson playing the straight-running Hunt and Ashley-Cooper in the centres, and with Folau back to his simplified best in the right flank.
This moment brought a rather exasperated “see?” in my lounge room because I’ve grown sick and tired of the need to rediscover Folau’s danger by removing the complexity in his game. I’m sure you guys are similarly sick of reading it, just as we’re all sick of agreeing with each other.
In truth Beale isn’t a great fullback either, but his kicking game and his playmaking make him a dangerous prospect from the back. And it’s certainly true that all of this has fallen into place for NSW with Hunt’s need to get away from Queensland and Hegarty’s desire for a starting role.
It’s going to be this kind of simplicity that makes the Waratahs a play-offs contender in 2019, I’m quite sure of it. It’s one thing to know Ashley-Cooper and Folau are coming at you down that right edge, but another thing altogether to stop them.
Hunt by season’s end could well be a buy of the year contender, and he’s on equal footing with Quade Cooper in a Rebels jersey from mine, after one month of the season.
And it’s all because he plays a simple, straight game that forces players to run those same lines in support.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Good point, I didn’t even think of that. Wikipedia has him tearing it up for the Doggies at Wests in 2017 (Where I played as a Junior). A background in Soccer explains his tactical kicking ability, But representing Fiji in the U-20’s and 7’s in 2016 is a clue that he is probably ineligible, for now anyway. *Sigh I think you are right about Maddocks, even though he is making a lot of highlight reels “Finishing”. I would like to see him and Banks play Georgia and Uraguay and get some time off the Bench against the Pumas and the Boks. At some point they need to invest in the young turks and give them some international minutes to get them ready for the hard stuff in the future. I am not a fan of Hodge on the Wing, he is probably best suited to 12, 13 or 22 but it wouldn’t be an awful choice, his defensive work is pretty good. My point is that there are a lot of guys that are excellent in that position. Making the decision to shun their well rounded abilities to make room for a running attack specialist like Folau should not be an easy one to make. Historically, with a game plan based selection, it has been, and I belive that has been a big part of the problem.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Is Daugunu eligible? I don’t think Maddocks is ready, especially not on the wing. DHP is a far superior player at this point.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I do See, and have been seeing for several years now! So now we have established that Folau is actually a 14, it is time to put on your selectors hat. I am optimistic that with Coach Cheika's selection powers diluted, some rational thought will be put into choosing the best the best player for each position instead of choosing players to suit a game plan. To do that, we must ask: What does it mean to play 14? I like the traditional "Wing-Fullback" role like what Smith, Dagg and J. Barret have been sharing. So in essence, you have 2 Fullbacks on the field. One tactician, one with a dynamic kick chase game and some jet shoes. DHP, Banks, Maddocks, Beale, are all genuinely competing competing with Folau for those 2 positions. You could argue that due to their kicking games, Super Sefa, Dougunu, Hegarty and a couple of others like super utility Hodge should at least make the sheet for consideration, if not selection. Ideally we are looking for a Luke Morahan. In my view, Banks has earned the the 15 Jersey through consistent, outstanding performances. But I am sure it won't go down that way So, if this article is to be believed, we will see DHP or Beale at 15. I give Folau a +2 for his attacking runs and Highball but -2 for defense and kick-chase, bringing him level with the rest of the pack. I would have DHP and Banks at 14/15 but wouldn't be too upset with any other name on the list. Except for Beale and Folau....Sorry, My criteria is best in position, not: "Must find a home for my 2nd best players" Beale is good but not great at 15, Folau is asymmetric. That said, my love for DHP is waning too, I think Daugunu or Maddocks are a better choice for the future.
Clifto
Roar Pro
Yes DHP seems to go about his business in an unassuming way, he doesn't have out-and-out gas, but he beats defenders consistently and is a terrific link player to keep the ball alive. That said I'd like to see more of Banks. Cheika missed an opportunity to give him more minutes on the EOYT, IMHO.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t be at all against seeing Banks and Folau on the wings and DHP at fullback in the Wallabies’ first test this year.
Bledisloeasusual
Guest
DHP was actually the wallabies most consistent performer last year i’d say (although may not be saying much). He’s not perfect though, I would like to see Banks have a go just for the pure speed but DHP is the good otherwise. Go back to the Ireland series and you’ll find he was the only back line player consistently beating players and causing them issues throughout. He’s one of a select few who play better for their country then for their club. Coleman usually being another
Zee-Unit
Guest
Hunt didn't stop or tighten the defence when Kerevi waltzed over for a try under the posts and was nowhere to be seen when Samu set up CFS for a try 40 meters down the touchline, so that blows your Pro Hunt narrative.Hey mate.LOL.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Matt Toomua didn’t play in super rugby last week. He is playing for Leicester in England.
Rugby Geek
Roar Rookie
Fionn, last weeks game for me was revealing about Toomua. He is a good footballer but he Rebs had the Brums locked down and MT didn't really get the cut through as 10 and captain. He tackles well but I think SR is hes level.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Did you notice Best’s try against France was exactly that. On his knees in a tackle, returned to his feet without releasing and drove over.
Clifto
Roar Pro
Have you watched any of DHP's play this year? I've needed convincing about him in the past, but he is playing beautifully at the moment. The Rebels v Highlanders game in particular, he was extremely impressive in attack and defence. I don't think we should be writing DHP off as an important cog in the WB backline in this RWC year, particularly if he keeps up this form.
gazza
Roar Rookie
Folau is better at fullback but still has problem of loose carry. Beale is best left on bench as a universal back. The bench player is just as needed as starting player in the modern game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’d actually consider English outside Kerevi for balance. I do see Kuridrani being a certain selection over Kerevi though, so the 12 would be selected for balance.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s just not good enough to justify selection above others.
Fox
Roar Guru
I prefer Kerevi at 12 because he defends better there than 13 and is good at setting up second or third phase play and draws more inside defenders to him at 12 – sometimes resulting in opening up the inside channel more. Hunt isn’t the threat in attack that Kerevi is – not that he isn’t a clever footballer – but Kerevi is more difficult to handle when he gets up speed. I wonder how Hunt would go at 13 with Kerevi and Folau on the inside and outside fro him to set up. He has the better football brain than either Folau or Kerevi
CJ
Guest
I agree with everything in this article and its very well written and balanced. Hunt is a good player. Just a bit of a shame he doesn't have that explosive speed he had back in his younger days.
Urkillinme
Roar Rookie
A great article and i can relate to you sitting in front of the tele yelling "see"!!! Regarding folau's most effective position. But i cannot agree with one thing... "In truth, Beale isn’t a great fullback either, but his kicking game and his playmaking make him a dangerous prospect from the back". It is not his playmaking or his kicking because he more often than not fails to find grass with poorly placed kicks and has shown he is not a playmaker, but, in open space, in broken play, while running with intent, he can be that threat. BTW. Didn't you hear? Israel is the best 15 in the world. His girl friend said so... case closed...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Good point... happy with Rona on the wing!
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
You're a brumbies fan. Of course you'd rather have Newsome there!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I thought there was talk he wants back to NSW. Might be no coincidence that Roets was only signed for 12 months. Happy to hold the door open and dust off his chair! :)