Israel Folau won’t be back for the Wallabies - who will replace him?

In a little over 12 weeks, the Wallabies will play their first Test match of the year, and the key No.15 spot just became available.

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In a little over 12 weeks, the Wallabies will play their first Test match of the year, and the key No.15 just became available.

With the World Cup only five months away, whoever wears the jersey against South Africa in Johannesburg is likely to be the one wearing it in Japan two months later, given there will only be five Tests’ preparation before the World Cup.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will not pick Israel Folau regardless of the outcome of his code of conduct hearing to appeal his sacking by Rugby Australia, leaving five players to battle it out for one of the most important positions in the team.

Dane Haylett-Petty, Kurtley Beale, Tom Banks, Jack Maddocks and Reece Hodge have nine rounds of Super Rugby, and potentially finals, to stake their claim for the spot left vacant by Folau.

Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett Petty is a strong contender for the Wallabies No.15 jersey. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Haylett-Petty, who is sidelined with a toe injury but is expected to return on May 4 against the Hurricanes, has the inside running for the job.

The Rebels fullback bumped Folau to the wing for five Tests last year as Cheika preferred Haylett-Petty’s assured presence at the back. But Folau was reinstated to No.15 for the final two Tests of 2018 against Italy and England.

But Beale has plenty of experience in the backfield and with Folau stood down from the Waratahs, he will have the opportunity to show he can replicate his 2015 form.

Beale was used at fullback by Cheika during the previous World Cup when Folau was injured and proved to be Australia’s most potent threat at that tournament. But he has since been deployed largely at inside centre, and occasionally on the wing in Test matches.

Israel Folau won’t be playing at the World Cup. Picture: AAP

With Bernard Foley controlling play for NSW, and Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper forming a solid midfield partnership, Folau’s absence may prove to be the best chance for Beale to claim a starting spot for the World Cup.

Banks, with just three Tests to his name, has been a consistent performer for the Brumbies, and legendary Wallabies fullback Chris Latham touted the speedster as the pick of the crop.

“I just like his style,” Latham said. “He’s a young kid willing to hit ‘go’ with his speed and size,” Latham said.

“He’ll make a mistake here and there but it’s through having a crack.”

Latham played most of his 78 Tests in the same No.15 that Folau wore for the bulk of his 62 Tests.

Brumbies star Tom Banks is a chance for the Wallabies fullback role. Picture: Getty Images

“There’s always life after any player, no one is bigger than the game,” Latham said.

“There’s always another great player and life definitely goes on for the Wallabies.

“Kurtley is such a threat with the ball in his hands and there’s no better position to get your hands on it than from fullback.

“Inside centre is too playmakey for him, in my opinion, but the Wallabies could still work moves to use his playmaking at other times.”

Waratahs star Kurtley Beale is another contender. Picture: AAP

Hodge, with his cannon boot, is another who Cheika has always said would float through positions until a potential home opened up.

Hodge is now starting at fullback for Melbourne and his direct battle against Beale on Saturday night at the SCG will be telling for both players.

Meanwhile, Maddocks has his eyes on the No.15 jersey for the Rebels and Australia, and as the leading try-scorer in Super Rugby this season, he is in commanding form and cannot be overlooked.

THE CANDIDATES

Dane Haylett-Petty: Overtook Folau as the Wallabies fullback for large parts of last year and is the favourite to return to the No.15 jersey when the Test season begins. Haylett-Petty’s astute kicking game, defensive organisation and safety under the high ball make him the leading candidate.

Kurtley Beale: One of Australia’s most dangerous attacking threats, Beale has also shown that he plays his best rugby from fullback. He won a John Eales medal in that position and at the previous World Cup, was Australia’s best back when coming on at fullback. The extra space to counter-attack, and less responsibility to organise the team’s attack, suit Beale’s off-the-cuff skills.

Tom Banks: Speed in abundance, Banks is the jack-in-the-box option for Australia on what are expected to be fast, dry tracks in Japan where attacking rugby will be rewarded. Of all the options, Banks is the man who will have had most time in the fullback position in Super Rugby this year.

Jack Maddocks: An exceptionally gifted player who is certain to be a long-term fullback option for Australia. Maddocks is strong, fast, and has a great sense of being in the right place at the right time. Being ignored for the fullback role by Melbourne at the moment won’t help his cause, but Michael Cheika will have noticed the strong work he’s doing on the wing and will know he can transfer easily.

Reece Hodge: Australia’s Mr Fix It is so versatile it has hampered his ability to nail down one firm spot. That means that when it comes to Wallabies selection discussions, Hodge’s name will figure prominently as a bench option because he can cover a range of positions and fix holes.