While Israel Folau is an X-factor player that any side would die to have in their colours, the dumped star and the Wallabies did not gel.
Folau signed with the New South Wales Waratahs on the eve of the 2013 Super Rugby season after some underwhelming years trying his hand at AFL with the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
After the impression he made in his years playing in the NRL before that, the hype was that Israel Folau was the breath of fresh air that Australian rugby needed. And it started well.
Folau was impressive for the Waratahs and was deservedly selected on the wing for the Wallabies for their first Test match against the British and Irish Lions in 2013.
He dominated in his Test debut despite being up against highly regarded Welsh winger George North. And although the Wallabies lost the series 2-1, you couldn’t question the added impact that Folau provided for the Wallabies was second to none.
But Folau was best on the wing. He was the best winger in the NRL from 2007-10, and he was already the best winger in Australian rugby.
Michael Cheika took over the reigns as Wallabies coach in 2014, and Folau was no longer a winger, he was a fullback.
(Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
And suddenly, everyone was brainwashed into thinking that Folau was the only option to play fullback for the Wallabies.
But what happened to the old expression if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?
Folau always has been and always will be a ball-runner, and one of the best in the world at it. He is Super Rugby’s leading try-scorer of all time for a reason, but just because he scored a bulk of his tries from fullback does not mean that he was an effective No.15.
Folau was never capable of handling the added responsibility that came with playing fullback for the Wallabies.
When to pass, when to run, when to kick.
His role in the NRL was to run, and he should have had the same role for the Wallabies.
What was Jonah Lomu’s role for the All Blacks? What was Jason Robinson’s role for England? What was Brian Habana’s role for the Boks? To catch the ball and run.
When Israel Folau played on the wing for the Wallabies, he made his team-mates better. When he played at fullback for the Wallabies, he made his team-mates worse.
He didn’t possess the decision-making capabilities needed to fill such a position at an international level.
Folau was the perfect winger. When you think of Israel Folau’s Wallabies legacy, do you see a man who set up tries for his team-mates, or a man that scored them?
Israel Folau’s talent as a ball-runner was wasted in Australian rugby, and his lock on the fullback position poisoned the Wallabies.
Though his departure is unfortunate and controversial, the Wallabies will be a better team on the field because of it.
Fiddlestix
Guest
If rugby was a battle, & IF was our star commando, I’d still call the battle off if for whatever reason IF couldn’t be in battle! Moral of the story.. IF had a comparative advantage in world rugby no one came close to.. he is a great loss to the wallabies.. & if the Australians refuse to acknowledge that? Tough luck.. the rest of the world still knows the value of IF and his great loss to rugby!
Ad-O
Guest
This type of revisionism is pathetic. The guy is world class no ifs no buts. I'm looking forward to your article arguing how we're a better side with David Pocock out injured.
Tristan
Guest
Are you forgetting the guy one 3 john earl medals?? * stop trying to exploit izzy tough time for media coverage. The man carried the tahs and the wallabies for years now watch how you suffer without him
Kick n Clap
Guest
Well the Jocks are easily pleased. Have seen their football leagues? I don’t call a two team RU professional tournament in Scotland a wonderful achievement? You could muster up the Faroe Islands, Stockholm UTD & Shetland sheep lovers to join the bandwagon?
Kick n Clap
Guest
Nearly as good as Billy S.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Obviously, you not heard the English myth about Jonny Wilkinson? Hardest tackler in world by none below Chesterfield. FACT : Best tackler in Northern Hemisphere Pound for Pound. Nobody went through him. Old story; Alex Murphy once said about Keith. “It’s like having British Army behind you. Because nobody goes through him and I mean nobody!!” Lomo would have been eating dirt.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Eales was feerless at sanctioning the demise of of the Western Farce, so I have to “tip my Hat to that”. Great Gentleman. He’s that good, he could have brought on the lemons on at half time on the 1982 Invicible Tour.
Kick n clap
Guest
If guys don’t like koroibete send him back? He should’nt even be playing for Wallabies. Neither should ; Poocock - Zimbabwe DHP- South Africa Front Row- Tonga, Samoa & Fiji Number 8 - Fiji No. 10 plastic Kiwi No. 12 & 13 from North or South Island of New Zealand. Do U get my drift?
Kick n Clap
Guest
Fionn, At least you’ve got the new best thing since “Garlic Bread” down in ATC? And that’s “John Bateman” And he’s defiantly the future as a Gun Rugby forward. Watch and learn and see how this young man has succeeded. Watch Peter Kay for instructions?
Kick n Clap
Guest
What about passing, catching, passing, catching,passing catching, beating Fullback and Scoring. Brilliant- This was the Future? What RL!!
Kick n Clap
Guest
Next you will be telling us ,DHP is Australian? You can tell by his Goose -step he’s Afrikaner. It’s a pity he’s slower than a “Tanker turning round”. Most overrated Ruggar player every, even after Matt Hodgson retired?
Kick n Clap
Guest
Very True Professor, The basic RU fabric and skill level is poor from the ground up in Oz? There is total “smoke - screen” about WA ability to develop talent and grassroots Rugby. Rugby Union here is very metro generic & doesnt really expand. Thank God , Northern WA RL is building nicely and and has bypassed the hump in Geraldton , whereby they just play with with themselves!!
Double Agent
Guest
And seven test tries to his name. That's 7 more than me but it's not many compared to Folau.
JPR
Roar Rookie
After playing fullback I say that Folau has his best position on the wing using his height to catch a “Garry Owen”. His kicking is Minus for touch/drop kick or converting , positional skills in defense goes missing. DHP for me thanks.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
The Brumbies loved Fardy. Cheika didn't appear to and Fardy was cast aside 12-18 mths too early from National duty
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Has the game changed per se, or is Savea just in imperious form?
Jacko
Guest
TBH Fionn the 7 game has changed. Pocock was/is a fantastic pilferer but the role is now different to when McCaw and Pocock first came on the scene. Savea is setting the standard at the moment in SH rugby and I believe he will come thru the WC as the MVP if he continues as he has been. Having said that I also think that Cheika's POOPER has done neither player involved any favors
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
A harsh but fair summation. IF doesn't seem like a bloke that dies in the ditch for his team mates. Happy to give up the chase.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
"The Wallabies are a better team without IF" and then you argue, with minimal evidence" that he was a better winger than fullback. You can't tell me the Wallabies with at least IF on the bench isn't a better team than with no IF in the 23.
Jacko
Guest
Neutral I agree Carter was fantastic in the WC final in 2015 but with all of his great things he did on the field that day I love it the most that he ended his career as an AB with a right foot conversion. Altho it would not have mattered if he had missed, it would have been embarrassing for him, but he did it anyway.