Wallabies look to the heavens

“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 he would back his supreme aerial skills against anyone of any size or experience, at any time, in the scenesetting 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.

That’s 12 in rugby and another 23 dominating rugby league for the Broncos (18), Storm (1), Kangaroos (1) and Queensland (3) in Origin.

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

Many missed that that kick was under penalty advantage so if Foley miscued or Folau split it, the NSW Waratahs would have returned for a second-chance attack from a formal penalty.

“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.

“It doesn’t matter what the size (of the Irish wingers), I’ll back myself to get the ball.”