The Waratahs bye came at exactly the right time for Israel Folau who rolled his ankle this past weekend, but will be available for the clash with the Brumbies next Saturday.
The prolific fullback who has scored five tries in the Waratahs’ two games so far this season is to be rested this week in training to give him the best possible chance to fully recover for their Australian conference match-up in Canberra on Saturday week.
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Folau’s scan results on Monday came up all clear with coach Michael Cheika confident that he will be fit to take to the field following their week break.
Folau will be given a reduced workload in the bye week – not training with the group on Tuesday.
“He’s fine it was all precautionary,” Cheika Told AAP.
“We’ll probably give him a couple of days off although he always likes to train.
“I saw him put his strapping on (Tuesday morning) but if he comes down I’ll tell him he’s not allowed.
“He’s had a short (off season) recovery time like a lot of these guys from (Wallabies Spring Tour) and where we can take a few little breaks we’ll let them have it.”
Cheika also hopes captain Dave Dennis will be fit to return from his knee injury after missing the Reds match. The Waratahs boss was clear on the need for Dennis to return with the Waratahs line-out struggling in his absence against the Reds.
“They’re telling me he’s recovering well and he’s looking good,” he said. “He starts running again in the next day or two and I hope he’ll be available.”