Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

An outside bet to replace Israel Folau just put his hand up

Israel Folau. Photo / Getty Images

Brumbies flyer Tom Banks put his hand up to replace Wallabies fullback Israel Folau with a stunning return to form against the Lions in Super Rugby.

ADVERTISEMENT

Banks was back to his devastating best, breaking the line with ease and scoring a try as the ACT cantered to a 31-20 victory in Canberra on Saturday.

It was a timely performance as Folau looks set to be sacked by Rugby Australia following his controversial social media post last week.

Folau listed homosexuals as one of eight groups of people for whom “Hell awaits”, and Rugby Australia have said they intend to fire the 62-Test fullback.

The NSW Waratahs superstar was sanctioned in 2017 for similar comments and intends to fight any punishment from his employers.

Continue reading below…

Video Spacer

It’s highly unlikely Folau will be part of the Wallabies’ World Cup squad in Japan later this year and Banks has put himself in prime position to fill the void.

The 3-5 Brumbies have endured an inconsistent start but if Banks’ form continues into the second half of the Super Rugby season he could prove irresistible to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s a lot better to be making good metres and getting involved in the game so obviously I’m happy with that but it’s a team thing, on the back of team success comes personal success,” Banks told AAP.

Banks debuted and played four Tests for Australia last year but Brumbies coach Dan McKellar was quick to temper his rise into Folau’s boots.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves on the back of one pretty good performance, I just think we rush into that with individuals, not just Tom Banks but anyone,” McKellar said.

“If your preparation is good you perform well for your franchise and all those selections and outcomes will look after themselves.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He’s got genuine speed, he’s in the game, he’ll challenge any defensive line, whether it’s Super Rugby or Test level he’s going to be someone who’s going to be in the forefront of selectors’ minds.”

If Folau’s contract is terminated, Banks will battle for the Wallabies No. 15 jersey with Reece Hodge, Dane Haylett-Petty and Jack Maddocks.

AAP

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 25 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out' Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out'
Search