Wallabies star Israel Folau says this year has been his ‘toughest run’ in rugby

ISRAEL Folau has indicated he’s itching for a move to the centres after a lack of involvement and five straight losses made 2016 his “toughest run” as a Wallaby.

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau says he would love the chance to play in the centres.

ISRAEL Folau has indicated he’s itching for a move to the centres after a lack of involvement and five straight losses made 2016 his “toughest run” as a Wallaby.

Victory over South Africa in Brisbane has lifted the gloom hanging over the Wallabies and they’re approaching their clash with Argentina in Perth on Saturday with renewed confidence.

But amid a debate about whether Folau is best deployed at fullback or outside centre, the Wallabies star revealed he has been struggling through a “frustrating” battle to influence games.

“This has probably been my toughest run since being in the Wallabies jersey, so it has been challenging for me as well and I have been in the team for a couple of years, let alone all the new guys,” Folau said.

“Obviously it was frustrating we couldn’t get the results but from a personal perspective I just felt like I couldn’t maximise my full potential in the games. It has been a very frustrating time, and quite a challenge to try and push through and make sure I am still feeling good going into games.”

Wallabies fullback Israel Folau says he would love the chance to play in the centres.

Since switching to rugby, Folau has made a freakish habit of running more than 100 metres in almost every game, at both Test and Super Rugby level.

But he hasn’t got past 77 metres in the last three Rugby Championship Tests and if contained below the century again by the Pumas on Saturday, it will equal Folau’s longest stretch of sub-100m games in a 48-Test career.

The last time Folau was kept to under 100 metres for three straight games was at last year’s World Cup, when he had a foot injury that later required surgery.

Asked why he was not maximising his potential, Folau said: “I am not sure. A bit of has to do with how the games panned out but also I am just finding I am not getting the ball in my hands as much as I’d like. It has been a bit frustrating in that sense. But I just to have keep working at what I get.”

The Waratahs moved Folau to outside centre this season with good effect, and despite many calling for Michael Cheika to follow suit and get the ball in his star player’s hands, the coach said last week he had no plans to move Folau.

Asked by NewsCorp if he’d like a shift to the midfield, Folau said: “I would love that opportunity if it came about.”

“But we still have some pretty good guys in those positions now,” he continued.

“At the moment I am pretty comfortable where I am.”

Though cloaked in diplomacy and respect for Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani, Folau’s answer is consistent with a private desire to get closer to the action.

Rivals are increasingly limiting Folau’s lethal running game by kicking high balls; he catches them all with athletic ease but is mostly wrapped up soon after.

“It’s part of their tactic to try and do that, but I am happy with that,” Folau said.

“Playing at fullback it’s part of your role to get up and take those high balls. That’s playing my role for the team. They are doing a good job of it.”

Cheika challenged questioners last week for a rationale to move Folau to centre given he is one of the world’s best fullbacks.

Cheika’s replacement at NSW, Daryl Gibson, moved him up in round six this year and the results were positive.

Comparing stats in his 10 games at centre against five at fullback, Folau’s runs slightly decreased but his average run metres increased at No.13 by almost 20 metres. There was a slight increase in line breaks and assists, offloads and tackle busts were roughly the same.

Folau’s strike rate increased markedly, scoring at try or more in 7 tries of the 10 games and finishing as Super Rugby’s top tryscorer (11). He was ranked second or third among Super Rugby centres across most attack categories.

The impact for NSW? Folau’s move to centre saw the Tahs increase tries by 32 per cent, points by 36 per cent, run metres by 8 per cent and advantage line by 5 per cent. But those stats were also influenced by the return of Bernard Foley at the same time.

Cheika is not easily convinced, however, and he is set to name Folau at fullback yet again in Perth on Thursday.

Kerevi, who ran strongly last week in Brisbane, will keep his No.13 jersey.

Originally published as Wallabies star Israel Folau says this year has been his ‘toughest run’ in rugby