The Wallabies have put the heat on South Africa’s big-kicking game by selecting game-breaker Israel Folau at fullback for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Coach Ewen McKenzie has challenged the Springboks’ traditional field-position game, built on the kicking of five-eighth Morne Steyn, by naming Folau and playmaker Quade Cooper in his starting backline on Wednesday.
It will be the mercurial Cooper’s first start at No.10 since his “toxic” criticism almost 12 months ago, while Folau gets his chance in the Wallabies No.15 jersey after five games on the wing.
The selection of both game-breakers, at the expense of rookie pair Matt Toomua and Jesse Mogg, shows Australia will play an up-tempo, attacking game in the Mandela Plate match.
McKenzie said Folau was picked at fullback to make the most of his tackle-shedding ability and indicated he wouldn’t be kicking possession away.
“There’s no doubt that a player of his running ability, the more times he touches it the better it is,” he said.
“Having him in that position, we think they will kick a lot so if they kick he gets his hands on the ball and that’s good.
“Maybe they won’t kick as much. We’ll see.”
Folau’s move to the custodian’s role he enjoyed for NSW this season has opened the door for Western Force cult hero Nick Cummins to play his first Test of the year on the right wing.
Prop Sekope Kepu replaces Ben Alexander at tight-head in the only other change to the starting side which began well before losing to the All Blacks 27-16 in Wellington 11 days ago.
The big question left by the changes is where Cooper, who traditionally defends at fullback for the Queensland Reds, will line up when the Springboks have the ball.
“We’ll see on the night,” a cagey McKenzie said.
Cooper was equally guarded about whether he’d have to muscle up in the front-line against the big Boks ball-runners.
“You can’t give all your secrets away. You have to keep something for the game on Saturday,” he said.
Folau, who was starved of opportunities on the wing, was rapt about finally getting the chance to play a Test in the position where he starred in Super Rugby.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to play fullback,” he said. “They are a team that likes to kick a lot so hopefully I get my hands on the ball, and in general play as well.”
“I think it’s easier to slot into the line playing at fullback … but I enjoyed playing on the wing as well.”
Brumbies trio Toomua, Mogg and Alexander were all demoted to the bench where uncapped Queensland back-rower Jake Schatz has been named in place of Reds teammate Liam Gill.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Nick Cummins, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga’a, Scott Sio, Ben Alexander, Kane Douglas, Jake Schatz, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Jesse Mogg.