Israel Folau’s switch into the centres has been a good thing for everybody, especially Tevita Kuridrani, Brumbies prop Scott Sio says.
While Folau’s Wallabies spot remains to be seen, with the national players going into camp later this week, Sio said the possibility of the Waratahs star playing in the centres would motivate Kuridrani.
“Talking to Izzy, he’s relishing being able to be around the ball,” he said.
“Tevita loves it, it’s another challenge for him if Adam Ashley-Cooper having left and he was his main rival. Folau moving to 13 has refreshed a big rivalry.
“It’s great for Australian rugby to have all our best players battling it out and testing each other.”
Sio said he was yet to be told whether he was in the Wallabies squad for the June series but that wasn’t worrying him.
“It keeps everyone motivated and going because you never really know,” he said.
“At the end of the day you’ve just got to believe that you’ve done everything you can in your preparation and in your playing to be able to give yourself the best opportunity to make the squad.
“That’s the mindset I’m taking in all this.
“You always aspire to be playing for your country and playing for higher honours.
Sio said he was beginning to feel like he was coming into his own after an injury-interrupted start to the season.
“For that to come into fruition I need to be playing my best rugby for the Brumbies.
“Personally I feel like I’ve started to find my way a bit there but it’s a game where you’re always improving week in, week out and I've still got a lot I need to work on.
“If I’m given the opportunity I'll be very grateful."
With one round of Super Rugby left before the Test break, Sio said his focus was on the Brumbies’ task of beating the Sunwolves this weekend.
“One of the beauties of our squad is we always remind everyone about the opportunity you have to play Super Rugby and to do what you love every day,” he said.
“Not a lot of people get to do that and we need to make sure we don’t take that for granted and that’s what helps drive people.
“(You) keep those aspirations at the back of your head, knowing that as long as you're doing what you need to do at the best of your abilities for your franchise higher honours will take care of themselves.”
