As Israel Folau challenges a breach notice from Rugby Australia over a controversial social media post, a selection dilemma looms for the Wallabies as they decide who is the most suitable replacement.
Folau’s loss will be felt by the Wallabies leading into the 2019 Rugby World Cup and may lead to more than the one change.
Appearing on Thursday’s episode of Game of Codes, an Australian sports podcast by The Roar, rugby Expert Brett McKay said that while there are a number of options on the table for selectors, Dayne Haylett-Petty is the clear frontrunner.
McKay cited a run of form for Haylett-Petty in 2018 that saw Folau pushed to the right wing for the Wallabies, and claimed the opportunity is there for the side to change the way they play through new selections and combinations.
A code of conduct hearing will take place within the next few weeks to determine whether Folau’s contract will be terminated, with an exact date for the hearing yet to be confirmed.
Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle said Folau’s decision to challenge the breach notice didn’t come as a surprise.
“Isreal has responded formally today to request a Code of Conduct hearing which, under the circumstances, was not an unexpected outcome. We will now work to confirm a date for the hearing as soon as possible,” said Castle.
“After the date for the hearing is confirmed Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union will make no further comment on the matter until the Code of Conduct process has concluded.”
Listen to the full episode below or subscribe to Game of Codes on iHeartRadio and Apple Podcasts.
Lindsay Freeman
Guest
The closest game of the weekend was Manly v Easts at Manly Oval. The crowd could be heard ks away & then we adjourned to the Bowling Club for the usual festivities. Later watched Waratahs v Rebels & there were 6 Manly players in that game. Today watched Brumbies in Sth Africa. BANKS at 15 had a blinder in a hard fought game and would be my pick at 15 in the Aust. side. BEALE'S best Rugby was at 15 for Leicester when he was in England & now has to have many good games to get into the Wallaby Squad let alone the game day 23.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
yeah sure tsuru. I'm sure MC wants to win and is doing what he believes is best. He obviously believes in his selections and coaching methods. He's also denying the reality they have not worked since 2015. One def'n of insanity is making the same mistake repeatedly and expecting a different outcome every time :)
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
With Folau gone and Beale know gifted the fullback jersey, and the Tahs season on the line it will be interesting to see how they manage his workload now. Let's remember that Gibson has stubbornly kept to virtually the same 23 players and failed to broaden his squad with sufficient game time to those fringe players eg Mason. And now Beale will be needed more than ever! I'm predicting he'll burn out come RWC time and then blame another underlying issue.
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Waxhead, what I meant was this: Cheika was successful in 2015. So he had high regard for those players who performed so well in the RWC. Over the following years he has remained convinced that, even if certain of those players are not performing well, he should be loyal to them and give them time and chances to get back to where they were (or better). But now we are too close to the 2019 RWC to cut more slack and, regretfully, he and the other selectors need to pick in-form players. I'm sure he wants the Wallabies to win as much as you and I do. Hopefully more. At least, as Piru said above, I'd like to believe that.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Just my theory. Thus is an internet site, not a court of law. Israel has reportedly lied to RA
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
It will be Beale. It shouldn't be, but it will be.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Kfar Reality is WBs talked about getting the ball to Izzy as the game plan but never did it consistently or well. His aerial skills could have been used to much greater effect and he was often wasted for the WBs because No 10s & 12s, like Foley and Beale, never had the skills to do it. Their kicking and passing was too inaccurate and they often took poor options. If Beaudon Barrett played with Folau he would have scored double the tries he did for WBs. But ...... hehe all ancient history now :)
KFar
Guest
Get Israel Dagg out of retirement, then the Wallabies can keep their one and only game plan alive. The "give the ball to Izzy" game plan.
Bleedsgreenand gold
Roar Rookie
Is it too late to work out who our best coach is????
Peter
Guest
With as much respect as I can muster, complete crap. Your evidence for “it’s just about money”? Hint: evidence does not include “coz I reckon.”
piru
Roar Rookie
I thought I saw him at Leicester again, I didn't realise he was back there.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
I think you could be right. We will miss his individual brilliance but not his positional play, defence or his kicking.
The Slow Eater
Roar Rookie
Yes. A bit harsh I think. Don’t worry Brett, I enjoy your articles.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@tsuru History has taught us otherwise with Cheika imo. He hasn't selected on form since last world cup. He's THE most biased Wallaby selector I've ever seen. For 40 yrs I've never had any major issues with WB selectors. They were all ok until Cheika came along. All we can hope for this year is he's over-ruled by the 2 new selectors and we get some sanity :)
Brett McKay
Expert
Appreciate the rap Aidan, but I haven't written an NRL column in years!!
Brett McKay
Expert
Wow... Guess I won't need to worry about you commenting on columns then, Waxhead...
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Tamooa may not be back here but there is something called a video camera that allows us to view his performance at Leicester. Hunt missing tackles? What standard are you judging him by? Beale? I like Kerevi at 13. I suspect he plays at 12 with the Reds because it is a better fir with Saiu Foutia outside him.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Well there is no doubt Israel won't be playing for Australia. He is tainted and some players and the coach don't want him, irrespective of the "result". So now it's just about money ! For a bloke who was prepared to "walk away" from the game, the word "hpercrite" comes to mind.
Armchair Sportsfan
Roar Rookie
Steady on fionn.....we don't know if 'drawing and passing consistently' is even our desired attacking strategy...we haven't even started training yet! ;)
Jonesy
Guest
Toomuas not back. Lets wait for him to play a game before annointing him as a 12 contender. Kerevi is so far out in front of every other 12 right now it is an easy selection even for the Clown. As for KHunt ? nope misses too many tackles and never breaks any either.