Thorn praises Izzy as ideal Reds catch
Tiger’s eye on surging No.7 Day
BRAD Thorn has lauded Israel Folau as a player any coach would want in the first concrete pointer the off-contract star is on the Reds’ radar for next season.
The Reds coach would not confirm whether he’d spoken to the NSW Waratahs’ 47-try weapon but a big tick from the hard-marking Thorn is the essential first step.
“I don’t imagine there’s a coach who wouldn’t be interested in Izzy,” Thorn said.
“He’s an outstanding human, a three-time John Eales medallist, a special player for any team.”
Folau’s 62-Test record means he has reached the 60Test threshold to play anywhere in the world and still be selected for the Wallabies.
A mega $1 million-plus payday for a shortened 16- or 17game stint with an English club, a la Kurtley Beale, is definitely an option for Folau from December to May.
That would still allow a full Wallaby preparation for next year’s World Cup but a Queensland base might have greater appeal for wife Maria, the Kiwi netballer, who is sharing the decision.
If the Reds are to find the cash for a serious play for fullback Folau, the numbers only work if Quade Cooper finds a new home and his $650,000-ayear deal is cleared from Queensland’s books.
Cooper has been unable to budge Thorn from his mindset that the Reds have moved on from his playmaking style.
His 70-Test nous has been inspiring in club rugby for four games with leaders Souths but every week moves him further from international reckoning.
Wallabies backs coach Steve Larkham yesterday agreed: “I know he enjoys Brisbane but now that Brad has categorically sort of told everyone he is not on the radar there, I think realistically Quade should start looking at some alternatives.”
With long-time halves partner Will Genia saying this week that he’d “absolutely love” Cooper at the Melbourne Rebels, Thorn gave him an extra nudge.
“If there was an opportunity for Quade at another Super Rugby club, we wouldn’t stand in his way,” Thorn said.
You could write a similar script in reference to a new overseas home for rugby’s limbo man Karmichael Hunt, the fallen fullback with no future at the Reds.
Cooper is steadfastly backing himself to change Thorn’s view but may have to do so from another club, despite his stance on Twitter this week.
“Work hard for what you want even when there appears no way,” he tweeted. “There is ALWAYS a way ... persist and be patient ... grateful to be representing @SouthsRugby on this journey back to the Reds & Wallabies. I will not give up.”
Cooper’s contentment with his close family set-up in Brisbane is a stay-put factor but playing good Super Rugby anywhere is the one way to be a Wallabies contender again.
Outside Bernard Foley, the Wallabies have few options for back-up No.10s because the Reece Hodge experiment by Michael Cheika in Japan last year has been ignored at the Rebels.
“I know he’s probably enjoying playing club rugby and getting a lot out of it but it’s doing nothing for his aspirations to get to the next level,” Larkham said of Cooper.
“He is a magnificent player and I certainly want to see him playing at that next level and then having the opportunity to play for Australia again.”
HE’S AN OUTSTANDING HUMAN, A THREE-TIME JOHN EALES MEDALLIST, A SPECIAL PLAYER FOR ANY TEAM
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TIGER Woods believes the golf world should be wary that Jason Day has added another weapon to his arsenal as he continues his quest to get back to world No.1.
The 14-time major champion says Day (pictured) has developed the ability to win without his best stuff during two US PGA Tour victories this year, which have propelled the Australian seven spots up the rankings to No.7.
Day fought the stumbles during a two-shot win at last week’s Wells Fargo Championship, where he carded four bogeys during the final round.
In January, he won a second title at Torrey Pines despite opening the event with a 73 and needing six sudden-death playoff holes to defeat Sweden’s Alex Noren.
The pair of victories certainly haven’t come as easily as the five Day earned during a breakout 2015 season, which included a maiden major title at the US PGA Championship.
But Woods believes his close friend Day is now a more complete golfer.
“Well, 2015 was one of those special years where Jason hit the ball unbelievably well,” Woods said at the Players Championship yesterday.
“He has two wins this year, not quite as (dominant), but that’s learning how to win.
“I’ve won numerous times not playing well but (I) found a way to score and get the job done and that’s what he’s doing.”
Woods, who holds the record for most consecutive weeks (281) and total weeks (683) as world No.1, has no doubt 30-year-old Day can reclaim the top spot.
Day topped the rankings for 47 consecutive weeks to February 2017.