Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson believes Israel Folau will be more effective at outside centre in what is set to be a tantalising duel with his opposite number Tevita Kuridrani.
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Folau will wear the number 13 against the Brumbies on Saturday when he faces Test centre Kuridrani.
When NSW travelled to the nation's capital in round two, Folau got an opportunity at centre after Rob Horne left the field through injury.
The Wallabies fullback scored a try and again proved his worth when moved forward, but there are concerns he will not get as many touches at No.13.
Folau has said his preference is "definitely" fullback, but Gibson is of the belief Folau, who is among the competition's leaders in defenders beaten and metres gained, will get more opportunities in the backline.
"[It's] something that Israel has been talking to me about a great deal, he's keen," Gibson said on Friday. "It's a good opportunity and it's an opportune time for us to try that combination. I think he'll be a standout success there.
"I think he'll get more [ball] because we'll still use him at the back field to field kicks, so really it's a luxury of we've got one of the best aerial guys in the world but also having him up front around the ball.
"In rugby league he was a centre, and he's had that three-year period of watching the game. It's an opportunity for him to go: 'Hey I want some frontline action, I want to be closer to the ball.'
Andrew Kellaway, who Gibson described as the Waratahs stand out player at training over the past month, will take Folau's fullback position and be under immense pressure come Saturday evening at Allianz Stadium.
"Yeah they are big shoes [to fill] but he's a young exciting player," Gibson said.
Meanwhile, Gibson has revealed plans are in place to support former All Blacks winger and reformed alcoholic Zac Guildford.
Gibson said Guildford would have missed out on selection for the Brumbies game even if he had not broken a little toe in his foot.
Guildford is understood to be very upset about his injury and drop in form and it comes just a week after he posted an apology on his Twitter account which read: "Sorry to Waratahs fans that was the worse (sic) performance of my career I can only keep trying but that was tough and hurts."
Gibson has given Guilford the space he needs and asked him to return to Waratahs HQ next week.
"The care around him is pretty extensive," Gibson said. "He's pretty down about that. He's in a space at the moment where he's let that injury and his exclusion get on top of him, so I've given him some time off. We've done a number of things and he's actively working on that and again these are the setbacks and so forth you have to cope with as a rugby player and he's no different.
"He's going to have to earn his way back just like everyone else."
Gibson says a change of attitude from Will Skelton prompted him to bring the big second-rower back into the starting XV at the expense of Dave Dennis.
Skipper Michael Hooper said that might actually be a blessing in disguise for the Waratahs club captain.
"Dave's not playing badly, it's just about getting that rotation ... it's a long season," Hooper said. "Dave's been doing well and is a prominent figure in the club, so he's been delivering a lot. I'm excited for Dave to have a different role in the game. He's going to come on with a lot of energy in the back end of the game and bring that leadership in the back end of the game."
