Israel Folau could find himself front and centre for the NSW Waratahs sooner than expected as the reigning Super Rugby champions find a silver lining in Adam Ashley-Cooper’s mystifying injury.

Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had earmarked a transition for Folau from fullback to the centres but didn’t anticipate a permanent move taking place in a World Cup year.

But with Ashley-Cooper sidelined indefinitely with a puzzling knee injury, Folau spent much of last Saturday night’s win over the Queensland Reds at outside centre.

While Matt Carraro was wearing NSW’s No.13 jumper and is almost certain to do so again for the Waratahs’ clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night, Folau will continue being eased into the role.

Assistant coach Daryl Gibson said employing last season’s top Super Rugby tryscorer in the centres was all part of the Waratahs’ plan to “best utilise everybody’s strengths and skills” in a backline oozing class and versatility.

It won’t just be Folau interchanging positions but also the likes of Carraro, wingers Peter Betham and Rob Horne, Ashley-Cooper and the ultimate utility ace, Kurtley Beale, as the Waratahs strive to stay ahead of the game.

“So while that can be complicated as they’re always swapping positions, we believe it’s the best way that we can be most effective,” Gibson said on Tuesday.

“We realise that the game is constantly shifting, evolving. Teams are doing different things so you need to be across all that, but also at the front of it in terms of you setting the trends as opposed to reacting to it.

“At the moment, we’re really trying to use everybody’s skills to the maximum.”

Gibson stressed that Ashley-Cooper, who is leaving the Waratahs for France at the end of the year, remained NSW’s first-choice No.13 but admitted the timing was right to introduce Folau to the complexities of what is the most difficult backline defensive position.

“We’re taking baby steps and getting the best out of two situations,” Gibson said.

“We like to have Israel back ready for counter and we like to have him up front for attack … I think he’s got a real future playing what we call up front, in the front line.

“The opportunity with Adam out is that we can just gradually keep exposing him to those centre-type positions and give him that experience there.

“Given time, that will become his natural position.

“How long (until then)? That’s up to how well he adapts and he accelerates his own progress.

“He could quite comfortably slot there now.”