Sunday, 17 February 2019:
 | | ISRAEL FOLAU of the Wallabies runs with the ball during the Bledisloe Cup match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. | |
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Israel Folau has declared he's more than happy to move from his preferred position of fullback, if it means the Waratahs can squeeze all of their attacking weapons into their starting backline.
Recruit Karmichael Hunt's impressive stint at inside centre in the Tahs' opening round Super Rugby loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday has given coach Daryl Gibson plenty to ponder.
Hunt wore the No.12 jersey usually occupied by fellow Wallaby Kurtley Beale, who was rested from the the game.
Gibson confirmed after the match that Beale would return for next Saturday's clash with the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
If Gibson shifts Folau to the wing, he could keep Hunt at inside centre and put Beale at fullback, or play them the other way around.
"It's going to be interesting for the coaching staff to see where they go," Folau said.
"I guess I've made it clear in the past that probably fullback is my preferred position, but obviously the team comes first and you've got strike players like KB and Karmichael.
"If the coach decides that he wants both of them on the paddock at the same time, if that means for myself to shift over to the wing I'd be more than happy to do that.
"I'm confident in those guys in getting the ball out to the edges, so I think it wouldn't be a problem."
Folau, who played rugby league with Hunt for Brisbane, Queensland and Australia as well as three rugby Tests, praised the recruit for his leadership skill.
"It's great to have him on the team, the boys are loving him and his contribution so far has been great," Folau said.
"A great all-round player who always puts the team first in defence and in attack so he's a great get for us."
Gibson said he would look at whether to rotate or rest any players from the game.
Folau, who invariably plays every minute of every game for the Waratahs and Wallabies, said he could see both sides of the argument for rotation and player management.
"Obviously if you're the coach you are probably wanting your elite players trying to get a break for later on in the season, but it's going to be difficult," he said.
"It's the first time that we've been able to kind of go through this, so we'll just play it by ear as the year goes on."
