Te’o hails Folau for code switch
BEN Te’o has revealed that Israel Folau convinced him to cross codes as he prepares to face his former housemate at Twickenham on Saturday.
England are seeking a sixth successive victory over Folau’s Wallabies when the old rivals clash in the climax to the autumn series, with Te’o starting at inside centre and Folau picked at full-back.
The friends played rugby league together for the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland before Folau moved to union via a short spell in Australian rules football.
“We used to live together when we were coming through,” England back Te’o said. “He’s played three codes. He’s one of the top full-backs in the world in rugby union and I’m just trying to follow his lead.
“I probably never imagined that I’d play Test rugby against an old roommate but Israel was one of the guys, when I made the change from rugby league, that I had a deep conversation with about whether I could make it or not.
“So I wanted to know if he thought I’d have the tools to be successful and whether they transferred to rugby union. He said they would, so I decided to give it a go.” There are only two sides in world rugby that come into this final international weekend of 2018 with one loss on the year - Ireland and the USA.
This is undoubtedly a stronger American team than the one Ireland last played 17 months ago, and worlds away from the one that was beaten by 80 points in this fixture in the year 2000.
An increased number of players plying their trade professionally abroad, the burgeoning domestic league, and the presence of former Springbok assistant and Worcester coach Gary Gold are all driving factors. Cardiff winger Blaine Scully
is one familiar face in the side and he will captain the visitors this evening and form part of a potentially dangerous back three with Western Force man Marcel Brache and Bedford’s Will Hooley at full-back.
John Quill, who scored when these sides last met in New Jersey, is a tough customer in the back-row, and one sure to be extra motivated given his Irish roots.
Both Cam Dolan and Paul Lasike will be looked to for front foot ball.
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