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Folau remains Cheika's first-choice full-back

Australia back Israel Folau and head coach Michael Cheika

Michael Cheika said Israel Folau will still be Australia’s first-choice full-back this season and feels he is paying the price for his versatility.

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Folau was employed at outside centre in the first seven Super Rugby rounds this year before taking the Waratahs’ number 15 shirt again, but moved back when Rob Horne picked up a hamstring injury.

The 28-year-old has not been at his explosive best for the Tahs, but Cheika has given his backing to the Wallabies flyer.

“Folau’s the pick there for me at this stage,” said the Australia head coach.

“He’s got quality and I’ve coached him a lot since he’s been in rugby and I think that’s where he’s at his best when the space is there to run free.

“I understand why the Tahs need to play him at 13, it’s not like he can’t switch back out.

“Footy is footy he’s got a few defensive things he’s got to deal with, which I think he’s dealt with very well, that’s a challenging position to defend in and he’s done that very well.”

Cheika added: “He hasn’t got himself as much ball as he would’ve liked this year, for sure, but you can see he’s trying to really do the job for the team and he’s had to move back and forth.

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“I think the Tahs would’ve liked to keep him at full-back, but then they had a few injuries so they were forced to bring him back up that game.

“I think he’s working really hard for his team.”

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Nickers 26 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.

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