Waratahs name Folau replacement after week of ‘distractions’

While Daryl Gibson admits the ongoing Israel Folau saga has been a major “distraction”, he has a handy fullback replacement for the club’s biggest game of the season against the Rebels.

Beale will replace Folau at the back. Picture: Adam Taylor

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The Waratahs are putting their faith in Kurtley Beale to fill the unenviable role of replacing Israel Folau for the team’s biggest game of NSW’s Super Rugby season.

With the Tahs in turmoil after Folau was stood down for breaching orders not to post any more divisive comments on his social media accounts, NSW coach Daryl Gibson desperately needs a cool head at fullback so has turned to Beale, one of his most experienced and versatile players.

“Obviously with Israel stood down, he'll move into a familiar position at fullback,” Gibson said.

“It's a real opportunity for him to step up in a position that we know he can and really try and own that position for the next nine games.”

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Despite mostly playing at inside centre in recent seasons, Beale is just as effective at fullback and has a much better kicking game than Folau so Gibson had no qualms about handing him the No. 15 jersey for Saturday’s crunch showdown with the Rebels at the SCG even though he was ill earlier in the week.

“Kurtley’s recovered sufficiently,” Gibson said. “He’s had three to four days off with tonsillitis and general illness so it'll be good to welcome him back.

“It changes things a little because every player brings a speciality to a position and KB certainly does that.

Beale will replace Folau at the back. Picture: Adam Taylor

“He’s got a strong kicking game, he’s got a real nice tactical appreciation so we’re looking to see what he can bring to that position and allow him that freedom to play it the way he wants to play.”

With Beale now locked in at fullback, Karmichael Hunt and Adam Ashley-Cooper can start building a regular partnership in the centres after Gibson has been forced to chop and change his midfield combination all season, which has contributed to the team’s patchy form.

He has also recalled Jake Gordon at halfback at the expense of new dad Nick Phipps after the loss to the Auckland Blues two weeks ago but the rest of the backline remains the same with Bernard Foley at five-eighth and Cam Clark and Alex Newsome on the wings.

“They’re both really solid, they make their tackles, they chase hard,” Gibson said.

“There’s probably a realisation in our team that that’s the style of play we’re going to have to adopt more of, so looking for more territory and looking for a way to win.”

There are two also changes in the forward pack with skipper Michael Hooper returning after taking a week off in accordance with the rotational policy and Jed Holloway replacing the injured Ned Hanigan at lock. Hanigan hurt his knee in a ruck against the Blues but could be back as early as next week.

Karmichael Hunt partners AAC in the centres. Picture: Getty

Saturday’s match against the Australian conference leading Rebels will be the first major test of how the Waratahs will cope without their leading tryscorer but so far they’re not showing any signs of missing him with the players all looking relaxed and happy at training this week.

“The off-field events that have swirled around the team, it has been a distraction, but the team on the field are really focused around delivering a performance that we can be proud of and really shows the spirit of this team,” Gibson said.

“On-field is a real sanctuary for the players and what I've seen on Monday and Tuesday, is just the release of a lot of energy that's built up and some really good quality stuff.”