Meyer is a big Folau fan
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is a big fan of Wallabies wing Israel Folau, who he regards as 'one of the best game-breakers in world rugby'.
The Bok mentor expects a major response from the Wallabies in Brisbane this weekend after consecutive defeats to the All Blacks, and he fully expects the former Rugby League star to play a major role for the home side.
"I don't want to talk the Wallabies up" said Meyer, "I want to talk my own team up, but he's (Folau) been a revelation to watch in Super Rugby. At the end of the day it doesn't matter which country you coach, I love to see him play."
The Wallabies are likely to involve the dual international as much as possible, fully utilising his aerial skills developed through several seasons in Australian Rules with the struggling Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Folau, who played five times for Queensland in Rugby League's State of Origin, is often the Wallabies point of attack from kick-offs as he displayed when he claimed three re-starts from the All Blacks in the pair of Bledisloe Cup Tests in August.
The 24-year-old was also impressive when the Waratahs toured South Africa during Super Rugby, playing a starring role as they hammered the Southern Kings 72-10 in Port Elizabeth. In all he scored eight tries in his maiden Super Rugby season.
"I really believe he's one of the best game-breakers in world rugby and he's only played properly for one season," continued Meyer.
Meyer also predicted that the Wallabies' would lift after their Bledisloe Cup campaign, suggesting that head coach Ewen McKenzie might start with home-town Quade Cooper at flyhalf over young Brumbies star Matt Toomua, who wore the No.10 jersey in both clashes against the All Blacks.
"If you're the South African, New Zealand or Australian coach, you're always under pressure, the team's always under pressure," he said.
"They will want to lift themselves. It will be very physical and I think it will be very fast. It will be a very quick Test match," he added.
Meyer also laughed off suggestions that the Wallabies were understrength.
"We don't see that they're weak because they've lost a few games. It will motivate them more," he explained.
The Springboks started their Rugby Championship campaign with a big nine-try 73-13 win over the Pumas in Soweto before enduring a long flight to and from Mendoza in Argentina where they just snuck home 22-17, despite being outscored two tries to one.
Source: ARU media unit
