Israel Folau earned the praise of NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika for his versatility following his second-half switch from fullback to wing in Friday night’s 31-26 Super Rugby win over the Melbourne Rebels.
Cheika admits the star recruit was down after his underwhelming debut in last Saturday’s loss to Queensland and was pleased to see him bounce back.
The Waratahs trailed the Rebels 16-6 at halftime and Cheika made an early substitution with Ben Volavola replacing winger Tom Kingston, causing a backline reshuffle.
Folau took Kingston’s place on the right wing and Volavola went to fullback.
It could prove to be a masterstroke from Cheika and the key to getting the best out of Folau and the Waratahs’ attack.
Volavola, a natural fullback from the Southern Districts club, looked fantastic chiming into the backline while Folau looked the part on the wing.
“I think in the tighter quarters he was a lot more efficient,” Cheika said.
“He had to switch positions in the second half and he got a few good touches there down that wing.
“I was actually quite pleased because he was a bit down on himself after last week and he certainly got his preparation really good and was able to adapt to playing fullback and the wing.”
Folau had a good hand in the Waratahs’ first try to five-eighth Bernard Foley in the 58th minute.
The former NRL star drew a couple of defenders before passing to Kane Douglas, who popped the ball to Foley, who scored a converted try which levelled the game before the Waratahs went on with the job with two more tries.
The Waratahs next play the Brumbies in Canberra.