Cheika moves Folau to wing

Gold Coast – Israel Folau will start on the wing for the first time in five years against Argentina tomorrow in a surprise tactical shift after the Wallabies’ star fullback was declared fit on Thursday along with influential flanker David Pocock.

Both players were late scratchings from Australia’s team against South Africa in Brisbane last Saturday, but were named in the starting XV for their Rugby Championship showdown against the Pumas on the Gold Coast.

Folau injured his ankle in the opening Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand on August 18, while Pocock has been struggling with a neck problem.

While Folau is back, with Jack Maddocks dropping to the bench, it will not be in his favoured fullback position with coach Michael Cheika opting to keep Dane Haylett-Petty in the No 15 jersey after two standout displays.

It is another big gamble by Cheika after he dumped veteran Bernard Foley for the Springboks clash in favour of Kurtley Beale at fly-half and Matt Toomua at inside centre.