A dollar for Israel Folau's thoughts as Australia prepare to play their first Test since his sacking
A dollar for Israel Folau’s thoughts in the early hours an Australian Sunday morning this weekend.
The Wallabies go into Rugby Championship action 11,000 kilometres away in South Africa and the 30-year-old will be absent having being a near ever-present the past six seasons, starting in 31 of his country’s 33 matches in the tournament.
It has been a cataclysmic, life-changing few months for the fallen Australian star. He had thought he was quids in at the beginning of the year, Rugby Australia convincing him his future was best served by signing a fresh four-year deal reportedly worth $4million.
However, that scenario was quashed all because of an April 10 social media message that claimed homosexuals were destined for hell unless they repented their sins.
The post was liked on Instagram 73,798 times but his employers took a dim view, tearing up his contract 37 days later on May 17 and creating a headache for Michael Cheika that will potentially run all the way to the World Cup finals in Japan.
Let’s momentarily ignore Folau’s divisive religious narrative. The bottom line is he was a mightily fine rugby player on his day, one the Wallabies had become massively dependent on in their back field.
Test rugby nations are supposed to be sure of themselves coming towards the end of a four-year World Cup cycle, not taking chances that it will turn out alright on the night.
That is the territory that Cheika finds himself occupying in fielding inexperienced Tom Banks (three caps) at Ellis Park, the intimidating spiritual venue where the Springboks clinched the 1995 World Cup and where the Wallabies have been bereft of a victory since 1963.
BREAKING l Your #Wallabies team to face the Springboks in the opening game of the #RugbyChampionship.
Watch live on @FOXSportsAUS, @kayosports and free to air on @Channel10AU on Sunday morning at 1.05am AEST.
MEDIA: https://t.co/wpbHI2rmTj#GoldBlooded pic.twitter.com/3iBgpFWfaO
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) July 18, 2019
You can crib that Folau wasn’t particularly devastating in his 10 Rugby Championship encounters versus the Springboks as he only ever scored two tries.
Truth be told, though, he had become a player whose strike rate had jumped through the hoops in recent times. Of his 14 career Rugby Championship tries in 31 appearances, seven had come in his last 10 outings, the sort of potency that won’t be easily replaced by Banks and co.
Johannesburg would have been a new port of call for Folau. His 31 matches had taken place in 16 different cities, but he had yet to run out at Ellis Park and his absence for Australia’s first Test match since his very public sacking helped put a spring in Rassie Erasmus’ step this week.
Rugby Australia and Israel Folau headed for court after
mediation fails to resolve unfair dismissal claim.READ: https://t.co/MXKWR1RRF8 pic.twitter.com/0Q8lXve0MF
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) June 28, 2019
“They will be less of a threat aerially without him… that is one thing you worry about,” claimed the Boks boss on Wednesday when he revealed South Africa’s hand for the championship opener against a Wallabies team that has lost 11 of its last 15 matches under Cheika.
“I don’t know how influential he was as a leader but certainly I think we have a better chance in the aerial department. He is a great striker and finishes tries. He was the top-try scorer (in Super Rugby). He is an influential player.
“There is no doubt they will miss Folau because he is a world-class player but they interchange positions no matter the number on their back.”
YOU are in a fight that YOU chose to be in after YOU broke the terms of YOUR contract, the kids below are in a fight they NEVER wanted to be in & yet YOU think YOU deserve donations more than they do??!!
It’s no longer about religion, it’s about YOU and YOUR greed.@IzzyFolau ????? pic.twitter.com/mdywzaw1ha
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) June 21, 2019
They do, of course, interchange frequently. Folau, the regular full-back, had run on the wing in a number of last season’s tournament games, but the Wallabies must now prove there is prosperous life after their controversial star’s exclusion.
A dollar for his thoughts as they set about that onerous task.
ANATOMY OF FOLAU’S 31 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
He played in 16 different cities: 6 – Sydney; 4 – Perth, 3 – Brisbane, Mendoza, 2 – Wellington, Cape Town, Gold Coast; 1 – Rosario, Auckland, Pretoria, London, Dunedin, Canberra, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, Salta.
He faced Argentina the most: Argentina P11 W9 L2; New Zealand P10 W1 D1 L8, South Africa P10 W3 D2 L5. His overall success rate was 46.7 per cent – W13 D3 L15.
He completed five full championships in six seasons: Played all games in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017. He missed the matches away to New Zealand and home to South Africa in 2018. All bar five of his appearances came at full-back.
He scored 14 tries: Four came against Argentina in the two 2013 fixtures, including a hat-trick at Rosario. There were further tries against South Africa and New Zealand in 2014, but he then went 16 matches without another score until August 2017 against New Zealand. That score in Sydney ignited a run that saw him score seven tries in his last 10 Rugby Championship matches.
WATCH: The RugbyPass trailer for the Ben Foden MLR documentary that will be released this weekend
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments