Fullback Israel Folau is emerging as a serious World Cup outside centre option for the Wallabies after outpointing incumbent Tevita Kuridrani.
Handed dual responsibility by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to counter attack from fullback and step into the centres for set plays, Folau delivered a masterclass in the NSW Waratahs’ 28-13 defeat of the Brumbies on Sunday.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham suggested Kuridrani could be the best centre in the world when he re-signed with the franchise last week.
But Larkham was left lamenting how Folau beat four Brumbies defenders to break his season try-scoring duck, while healso set up NSW’s other two five-pointers with classy involvement and offloads.
“I’m really enjoying being a lot closer to the action and yesterday’s team performance was great and it’s just good to be on the back-end of that, getting a bit of space out wide,” said Folau on Monday.
“It’s always nice to cross the line for a try but, for me, I was more satisfied by the work by the team and providing opportunities was something I was happy about.”
In contrast, Kuridrani lent some weight to Wallaby great David Campese’s criticism that “never passes the ball”, before suffering a shoulder injury and departing Sydney with his right arm in a sling.
With Kuridrani facing scans and on-going uncertainty over Adam Ashley-Cooper’s knee injury problem, Cheika will surely contemplate switching Folau from fullback to the centres for the Wallabies as they gear up for the World Cup later in the year.
Folau said “for sure” he’d be up for the challenge “if asked”.
“It probably goes back to what’s best for the team and, if given that opportunity, I’d try to make the most of it,” he said.
“It’s just unfortunate for Tevita. Hopefully his injury is not too bad.
“I’m not sure where Adam’s at at the moment but as a team we’re hopeful that he’ll be back in the (Waratahs) side as soon as possible.”
Folau was enjoying his staged positional transition for the Waratahs.
“I’m trying to adapt as quick as I can according to the situations that we’re in,” Folau said.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost Adam a couple of weeks ago and Cheik’s probably seen it as the best thing for the team and I’m just trying to doing my role for the team.”
Folau rated the Waratahs’ commanding victory over the Brumbies as the champions’ most powerful performance of the season.
It also reduced the Brumbies’ lead over the Waratahs in the Australian conference to six points.
“We hadn’t spoken about being on top of the conference but for most players it probably sits in the back of their mind.”
