Get more ball to Folau, says Cheika

Michael Cheika wants more aerial ball for Israel Folau after the soaring fullback’s spectacular try highlighted an otherwise forgettable Wallabies Test against Scotland.

Folau’s effort to leap high above Scottish fullback Greig Tonks and reel in Bernard Foley’s pinpoint crossfield kick reminded AFL fans what they let go when the code hopper left the GWS Giants to play rugby in 2013.

It also showed Cheika what Folau can offer the Wallabies the more his teammates get ball to the dual international – however they can.

He also leapt high for a five-pointer against Fiji and now has two tryscoring doubles in eight days after going 12 matches and 12 months without crossing the stripe for the Wallabies.

Cheika said crossfield kicks for Australia’s attacking trump will again be the way to go on Saturday when the Wallabies complete their June Test series against Italy in Brisbane.

“I wouldn’t be claiming to be a genius coach to work that out,” Cheika said.

“It’s pretty straightforward. Like, he’s one of the best in the air if you kick him over the ball.

“You’re always betwixt and between with stuff. Do you want to keep playing footy or do you want to kick over there?

“But if he’s going to catch all of those, you’ll keep kicking it over there, I’d say, and then that should open up some other space to give you some opportunities.

“But he’s obviously a class act on there and he made some other good interventions, some good carries when he didn’t get a lot of quick go-forward ball.

“So I think he’s in a nice vein of form at the moment.”

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