Folau set to launch on happy hunting ground

“AIR Izzy” is booked to soar over Suncorp Stadium tonight with a powerful warning from the Wallabies that the Irish are next to feel the sting of rugby’s ultimate “free kick”.

In-form fullback Israel Folau said that he would back his supreme aerial skills against anyone of any size or experience, at any time, in the scene-setting first Test of the series.

More than that, Folau’s ridiculous all-codes haul of 35 tries from 40 games at his favourite ground is riveting proof he can back up his words in the air or on land.

There is an ideal use of the Bernard Foley crosskick to the acrobatic leaper who nailed the Queensland Reds just a week ago with a fingertip classic plucked out of the sky for a try.

“Anywhere in the attacking 22 we look for those chances straight away, especially on advantage because it’s a free shot,” Folau said.

It’s the equivalent of Twenty20 cricket’s “free hit” after a no ball.

“I back Bernard to get the kick right every time. I want to make the most of it and come down with the goods,” Folau said.

The Folau ploy has immense value as a decoy too, according to World Cup-winning Wallabies great Tim Horan.

“Izzy is king under those kicks to the corner, but the Wallabies will have three plays, not one,” Horan said. “If the Irish guess at putting two players on him the defensive spacing opens up for a possible inside runner off Foley or a Samu Kerevi to go hard in midfield.”

Such precise plays all rely on the Wallabies’ pack first ripping into Peter O’Mahony’s champion Irish side with the same intensity the world’s No. 2 side will throw at it.

The Wallabies have rarely paired two such bullocking locks as Adam Coleman and Izack Rodda, while flanker David Pocock’s first Test in 18 months lifts the authority too.