This was published 6 years ago
Folau given a licence to roam with shift to wing
By Tom Decent
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson isn’t putting a timeframe on how long Israel Folau will remain on the wing for NSW and made it clear the team's regular fullback will still have an “open licence” to roam the field against the Melbourne Rebels on Sunday.
Gibson has made the surprise decision to shift Folau from his customary position of fullback to the wing for this weekend’s match against the Australian conference frontrunners.
Shift: Israel Folau has been moved to the wing for this weekend's clash against the Rebels in Sydney. Credit: Wolter Peeters
The call is more a reflection of new No.15 Bryce Hegarty’s performances of late rather than a lack of spark from the incumbent Wallabies fullback.
Folau hasn’t lined up on the wing in a sky blue jersey for five years, with his one and only outing coming in 2013 in round four against the ACT Brumbies.
He scored two tries on Test debut against the British and Irish Lions on the wing but was shifted to fullback in his sixth match for the Wallabies and has remained there since.
Folau’s role is wide-ranging, so there is no danger of him waiting for the ball to come for him out wide.
“There’s a tactical element to putting Israel on the wing,” Gibson said. “We feel his aerial ability and ability to kick into that space that the Rebels leave is something we want to look at in this game.
“We haven’t put a timeframe on things. It’s probably more Bryce’s excellent form that’s warranted that shift and finding the combination.
“It’s an open licence for him. We see some real opportunity for him to get himself in and around Beale and Foley. We want to really see that combination between he and Hegarty expand.
“Every time we reshuffle late in the game, he’s done particularly well there and we’re yet to realise his potential there around that aerial play.
“His preferred position is fullback. I said to him this is a change I want to make and look at that combination. He’s team first, so he took that well."
Alex Newsome is the unlucky man, dropping onto a 5-3 bench that includes Taqele Naiyaravoro and former Rebels halfback Mick Snowden, who has been called in as an emergency replacement.
Newcomer: Mick Snowden has been called in as an emergency replacement for the Waratahs. Credit: Wolter Peeters
While there is positive news Sekope Kepu and Rob Simmons are returning and Ned Hanigan has been cleared of serious injury to take his spot in the starting XV, the Waratahs are in the midst of a halfback crisis.
With Nick Phipps’ calf still causing him problems, Jake Gordon, who started all three matches this year at halfback, has been ruled out after failing a concussion test.
Relaxing: Injured NSW halfbacks Nick Phipps and Jake Gordon looking on at training. Credit: Wolter Peeters
Gordon picked up a head knock against the Sharks but was cleared to play the Jaguares. It appears there are ongoing symptoms that need to be managed.
His omission means Mitch Short, who only has 43 minutes of Super Rugby experience in four matches – three for the Force and one for NSW – will be under significant pressure to deliver crisp ball to a star-studded NSW back line desperate to get involved as frequently as possible.
The Waratahs actually thought Short busted his ACL on their two-week tour of South Africa and Argentina but found out later he only had minor ligament damage.
Back: Mitch Short will wear the No.9 jersey against the RebelsCredit: Wolter Peeters
“We’ve been troubled a little bit in the No.9 position through our stocks this year,” said Waratahs captain Michael Hooper. “Shorty has been there or thereabouts since Fang [Phipps] has done his calf.
“He’s been around and doing some really good things [with] really good impacts off the bench in previous weeks, especially against the Sharks.”
Asked why hooker Tolu Latu had been dropped out of the matchday 23 for Hugh Roach, Gibson said: “We gave Tolu an opportunity on the weekend and we feel he didn’t quite take that.”
The Rebels welcome back captain and second-rower Adam Coleman but have had to leave out hooker Jordan Uelese, who has a hamstring injury.
NSW have won 11 of the past 13 meetings between the two sides.
Temperatures are expected to reach 38 degrees in Sydney on Sunday, which will be extremely tough for both teams to manage.
“It’s going to be interesting isn’t it,” Hooper said. “Lucky we’re not playing when the girls are because that is going to be absolutely scorching. It’s part of the game and both teams are going to have to deal with it.”
Waratahs 1-15: Tom Robertson, Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Ned Hanigan, Rob Simmons, Michael Wells, Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway, Mitch Short, Bernard Foley, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi, Israel Folau, Bryce Hegarty.
Bench: Hugh Roach, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Paddy Ryan, Tom Staniforth, Will Miller, Mick Snowden, Alex Newsome, Taqele Naiyaravoro.