JOHANNESBURG – Australia coach Michael Cheika insists his team have moved on from the controversy around hotshot 62-Test fullback Israel Folau, who is no longer in the Wallabies set-up.
Folau’s contract with the Australian Rugby Union was terminated following his comments about gays, among others, on social media.
It is unlikely the 30-year-old will play for his country again, but he has appealed against his sacking.
Cheika has given young Brumbies fullback Tom Banks a first shot at taking over the No 15 jersey from the star fullback by naming him in his starting team for Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Banks was a somewhat surprising pick at fullback ahead of Kurtley Beale, who’ll play off the bench at Ellis Park.