Folau can change union, says former All Black

Updated December 06, 2012 16:52:16

Sonny Bill Williams' indefensible offload changed rugby union and Israel Folau's vertical leap has the potential to do the same, according to new New South Wales Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson.

Former All Black Gibson, who helped mould the Crusaders' potent backline when Williams made his Super Rugby debut, watched Folau train for the first time with NSW on Thursday.

It was a low-key hit-out, with Folau laying a couple of slick passes and making a handful of line breaks during drills, but Gibson was already thinking big about the impact a bulked-up Folau can have on the 15-man game.

"Sonny brought to union some skills he had from league and he's changed our game," Gibson said.

"Israel, particularly with his aerial ability, could potentially do the same.

"It's not a skill we're particularly adept at. He spent two years catching and kicking (in the AFL) and we'd be foolish not to utilise that skill."

Gibson, part of the Crusaders' foundation squad in 1996 and involved in union ever since, said he'd never seen anything like Folau's ability to leap and snaffle the high ball.

"And what I haven't seen in union a lot is the ability to catch the ball above your head, and that's a skill he's going to bring to our game," Gibson said.

"Absolutely (it could change the game) and what it will change is teams' ability to defend us.

"If the backfield is worried about his aerial game, then it obviously opens up opportunities elsewhere on the field.

"We're going to have to exploit that."

Folau spoke of his desire to take on the All Blacks on Tuesday, and Gibson revealed the 23-year-old's switch to union had already created waves in his rugby-mad homeland.

"I got a number of texts from people back in New Zealand who were excited to see him go," Gibson said.

"A few (Super Rugby) coaches and obviously players (sent messages). It's neat that they're aware we've signed someone of his calibre."

Folau, who coach Michael Cheika says will play in the back three, will initially be shielded from contact work while he learns the intricacies of the ruck.

The code-hopper's other major challenge will be to re-design his physique after shedding seven kilograms to prepare for the endurance required in AFL.

But Cheika said Folau will do a lot of running without the ball for the 'Tahs and his body transformation won't be overly severe.

"Maybe somewhere in the middle (of his playing weights in AFL and NRL). I can't be sure, there's no exact science to this," Cheika said.

"I don't know if it's about upper chest or lower body. Most players know the weight they feel comfortable at. You got to go with your gut feel.

"It (Folau's preparation for Super Rugby) is not really about that. It's about footy."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted December 06, 2012 16:52:16

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Welsh change four for second Test

Updated June 14, 2012 15:01:42

Wales coach Rob Howley has made four changes to his side for the second test against Australia, including the return of former skipper Ryan Jones at number eight in place of the injured Toby Faletau.

Faletau returned home on Wednesday after breaking a bone in his hand, forcing one of three changes to the Wales pack from the eight that played in the 27-19 loss in Brisbane last week.

Alun Wyn Jones - who captained Wales in their midweek tour match against an ACT Brumbies second string side - comes into the second row in place of Luke Charteris, while Matthew Rees is preferred to Ken Owens at hooker.

The one change in the backline comes at the inside centre position left open by the injury to Jamie Roberts with Ashley Beck set to win his second cap in place of Scott Williams, who drops to the bench.

Howley has kept faith with Rhys Priestland at flyhalf despite his much-criticised performance at Lang Park, while James Hook remains on the bench.

"After the first Test Australia are obviously in the ascendancy, but the tour is not over by any means and we have all to play for on Saturday," Howley said in a statement.

"We are bringing three very experienced players into the pack, all three made an impact from the bench during the first Test which has justified their selection in the starting line-up this weekend.

"Having played two matches now on Australian soil we have acclimatised and are ready for another huge challenge this Saturday in Melbourne."

Wales team: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Ashley Beck, 11-George North, 10-Rhys Priestland, 9-Mike Phillips; 8-Ryan Jones, 7-Sam Warburton (captain), 6-Dan Lydiate, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 4-Bradley Davies, 3-Adam Jones, 2-Matthew Rees, 1-Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16-Richard Hibbard, 17-Paul James, 18-Luke Charteris, 19-Justin Tipuric, 20-Rhys Webb, 21-James Hook, 22-Scott Williams.

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, melbourne-3000, australia, vic

First posted June 14, 2012 14:57:11

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Brumbies change line-up to meet Rebels

Updated May 31, 2012 16:03:31

Brumbies coach Jake White has made three changes to his starting XV to face Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Lock Sam Carter and tighthead prop Dan Palmer have been rested, with Leon Power named to start in the second row and Ruaidhri Murphy moving into the front row at loosehead with Ben Alexander shifting to the right side of the scrum.

Robbie Coleman has been included at full-back with Jesse Mogg moving to the wing to replace Henry Speight, who has been named on the reserves bench.

Number eight Fotu Auelua and prop Scott Sio have also been included amongst the reserves, as has outstanding back row talent Colby Faingaa, who will make his first appearance for the Brumbies after recovering from an ankle injury.

The Brumbies lead the Australian conference standings on 45 points, their lead cut to five points after going down to Queensland 13-12 in Canberra last Saturday night.

Brumbies squad:

Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg, Andrew Smith Pat McCabe Joe Tomane Zack Holmes Nic White Ben Mowen (c) Michael Hooper Peter Kimlin Leon Power Scott Fardy Ben Alexander Stephen Moore Ruaidhri Murphy

Reserves: Anthony Hegarty, Scott Sio, Fotu Auelua, Colby Faingaa, Ian Prior, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, melbourne-3000

First posted May 31, 2012 16:03:31

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Waratahs make just one change for Sharks

Posted May 26, 2011 08:26:00

The NSW Waratahs have made just one change to their starting side, with Sitaleki Timani coming into the second row for the Super Rugby clash with the Sharks in Durban.

Timani was a late scratching from last week's bonus point win over the Lions in Sydney, after failing to recover from a thumb injury sustained in round 12.

He returns to the run-on team to partner Dean Mumm in the second row, while Pat O'Connor retains his place on the bench.

The only other alteration to the match day squad is a forced one with rookie Tom Kingston called to national duty with the Australian U20s ahead of the IRB Junior World Championships.

Speedster Atieli Pakalani moves onto the bench for his first Super Rugby clash since suffering a hamstring injury during the round eight bonus point win over the Western Force in Perth.

It is a crucial match for the Waratahs as they attempt to secure wildcard entry into the Super Rugby playoffs.

Coach Chris Hickey said the squad had recovered well from the long trip to South Africa and were looking forward to this weekend's clash at the Shark Tank.

"Recovering from the flight to Johannesburg and then transferring to Durban is always a bit tricky but all of the guys seem to have pulled up well," said Hickey.

"They were out and about on Monday to adjust to the time difference and we had a pretty sharp session on Tuesday which provided a good indication as to where they are at both physically and mentally.

"Kings Park is one of the great venues in world Rugby and I know the squad is excited to be here.

"It's an important game against another finals contender so there's a lot on the line."

Hickey said the inclusion of Timani was a bonus for the squad with the Tongan-born lock one of the form players in the team over the last month.

"Sita's probably been better known as an impact player at Super Rugby level before this year but since getting an opportunity in the starting side he has given us a lot of go-forward," said Hickey.

"He trained well all of last week and was probably touch-and-go to play the Lions but we erred on the side of caution knowing the important run of matches we have coming up."

The Waratahs will train again on Thursday ahead of the captain's run on Friday before Saturday's clash.

Waratahs team: Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner, Ryan Cross, Tom Carter, Sosene Anesi, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Ben Mowen, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Sitaleki Timani, Dean Mumm (c)), Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: John Ulugia, Al Baxter, Pat O'Connor, Hugh Perrett, Brendan McKibbin, Daniel Halangahu, Atieli Pakalani.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, south-africa

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