Israel Folau says cross-kicks from Bernard Foley should be used more often because he loves to fly high

KICK it to me, kick it to me. Israel Folau says fine-tuning a cross-kick combination with Bernard Foley is on the agenda ahead of the Wallabies’ winter after the tactic was revived with success during June.

Israel Folau launches himself to claim a Bernard Foley cross-kick and score for the Wallabies against Scotland last month.

ISRAEL Folau says fine-tuning his cross-kick combination with Bernard Foley will be a focus ahead of the Wallabies’ winter after the tactic was revived with success during June.

Having been surprisingly under-used in rugby given Folau’s record of aerial athleticism in several codes, the star fullback scored two tries in June courtesy of open-side Foley kicks.

The six-foot leap to catch a kick over Scotland rival Greig Tonks and score was extraordinary, and though the game was ultimately lost, the strategy emphasised how indefensible a cross-kick to Folau can be if placed just right.

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The Waratahs are out of the finals and they’ll use their last two games against the Jaguares and the Force to build foundations for next season.

Israel Folau is looking to strengthen his cross-kick combination with Bernard Foley.

But for key Wallabies combinations like Foley and Folau, the dead-rubber games can also serve as a valuable outlet to work on their combination and timing ahead of the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.

Folau admitted the crosskick was something that could be used more.

“I certainly feel that way. Obviously I am always confident in the skills and ability I have,” Folau said.

“It’s a matter of working together with Bernard and I think that’s a bit of a next phase for us, in terms of expanding our game. Not just in that area, but in all different areas of our game.

“Those are things you train for and a guy like Bernard, who has a great kick, he can put the kick on the spot. The onus is up to you to get up there and own the ball.

“If you want to work on little skill sets and combinations, you always try to do that in training but it matters the most when you do in a game. We are always open to learning and sharpen up our skills.”

Many rugby sides have viewed the cross kick as a last-resort option, unwilling to gamble giving away possession with a kick when so close to the line.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika admitted with Folau’s talent it was a genuine option, and New Zealand teams are now making cross-kicks a major feature of their play to exploit space left by up-and-in defences.

Israel Folau launches himself to claim a Bernard Foley cross-kick and score for the Wallabies against Scotland last month.

“It comes from what you see at the time while you are playing. The Kiwis are good at adjusting and playing to what they see in front of them in the game,” Folau said.

“Bernard has that skill set and I would back him at any time to use that if that is required in the game. We are always looking to work on that and execute it in the game.”

Folau is brimming with confidence again after shaking off a “challenging” Super Rugby season, where he started the year at No.13.

Folau got back in the groove with a return to fullback for the Tahs and he shone for the Wallabies in June, scoring two-try hauls in all three Aussie Test matches.

“It was pretty simple. Even leading into the June series I felt like I was enjoying my footy with the Tahs and I guess I have been doing that off the field,” Folau said.

“I am really happy and use smiling, and enjoying all the opportunities I get and each moment. For me that’s transferring onto the field.

“(Playing fullback) makes things a little bit easier. From the start of the year it was quite challenging but I have learned things don’t (always) go smoothly so I have learned to adjust and take those opportunities.”

Folau and the Waratahs will wear Pasifika jerseys this week to recognise the influence of the Polynesian community in NSW Rugby. Several senior players, including Folau, helped design the motif from their tribal tattoos.

“The patterns come from there Polynesian guys in the team. They have a few tattoos and the designs have come out of that. It has come out really well,” he said.

“We are just really grateful we are getting the recognition and we want to make the most of it.”

Originally published as Israel Folau says cross-kicks from Bernard Foley should be used more often because he loves to fly high