Volavola pushing for starting berth

Editor

Waratahs flyer Ben Volavola's performances off the bench is providing a selection poser for the Sydneysiders' coach Michael Cheika.

Waratahs flyer Ben Volavola's recent performances off the replacements bench is providing a selection poser for the Sydneysiders' coach Michael Cheika.

Volavola has grabbed his chances in the Waratahs' opening matches against the Reds and Rebels, proving a handful on attack in both matches.

And Cheika admits that the 22-year-old's form means he is pushing for a place in the run-on side.

“I'll have another look at the (Rebels) game and see, he's obviously putting himself right up there for the opportunity to get in from the start,” Cheika told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I always like to have the options in the game if necessary but maybe I need to change the game from the start.

“He's definitely making it hard for me not to pick him.”

How that affects the rest of the back-line is still unclear and Cheika was not revealing too much.

He said he was happy with code hopper Israel Folau's development at full-back as well as the former NRL star's ability to think a phase ahead.

“I'm not thinking about anything too different positionally, for him it's more the pressure coming from players on the bench,” Cheika added.