How the Wallabies could lineup without Israel Folau
- 3085
The Wallabies will be without the services of their star fullback Israel Folau this weekend as they go in search of their first win over the All Blacks at Eden Park in 20 years.
Michael Chieka has a bit of a selection headache in replacing Folau with a number of players able to cover the position.
We have ranked the five possible ways he could replace the former rugby league star:
5. Least Likely & Most Disruptive - Kurtley Beale to 15, Toomua to 12
The first option we take a look at is moving Kurtley Beale out of the centres and pulling on the 15 jumper with Toomua replacing him in the midfield.
Beale started at fullback last year when Folau was on his sabbatical.
Although this move does make sense it is far from ideal as it would mean that the Wallabies would need to field a new centre combination in Toomua and Hodge.
Beale is arguably in the form of his career at the moment while playing inside centre.
4. The Gamble - Give Tom Banks a starting test debut
Elevating Tom Banks straight into a starting jersey would cause little disruption to the Wallabies backline but it does come with its own risks.
Banks is untested at test level and making your test debut at the fortress that is Eden Park will be no easy feat for the 24-year-old Brumby.
However, Banks was one of the Brumbies top performers this season and was impressive in the Wallabies v Super Rugby select not to mention that he is a natural fullback.
3. Hand Jack Maddocks his starting debut
Maddocks made a significant impact off the bench against the All Blacks last weekend scoring his first try on his debut.
The youngster did struggle on defence and could excel without the pressure of having to deal with the dangerous All Blacks wingers one on one on a regular basis.
Maddocks possess a big boot, is solid in the air and has played multiple positions including flyhalf which could make him another first receiver option.
2. Rewarding Hodge - Reece Hodge at 15
Hodge was relatively successful in the midfield for the Wallabies in the first test - particularly on defence at set piece time.
The man dubbed as 'Mr Fix it' by his fellow teammates could do the job yet again by filling the vacant 15 jersey.
Fullback is arguably Hodge's best position and one he has rarely played at test level.
His massive boot and intelligent defensive work could be a real asset to the Wallabies but moving him to fullback would once again cause a change in the Wallabies midfield.
If Hodge were to move to fullback Curtis Rona would need to come in at centre.
However, this would not cause as much as a disruption as Toomua's inclusion as Rona and Beale played the entire Super Rugby season together in the Waratahs backline.
1. Most Likely - Dane Haylett-Petty
Haylett-Petty will probably be the man tasked with replacing Folau, with Jack Maddocks taking his fellow Rebels teammate's spot on the right wing.
The 29-year-old is one of the most experienced options Michael Cheika has and has performed the role for Cheika in the past.
His selection would also not affect the Wallabies midfield while also keeping an experienced campaigner in the position.