Israel Folau's statistics for the Waratahs prove he can take on the Lions WITH each soaring weekly performance - and the impressive statistics that follow - the number of reasons why Israel Folau shouldn't be a Wallaby next month continue to fall away. There is a natural inclination to distrust the dreaded "Hs" when it comes to an athlete - hype, hyperbole and headlines - but Folau has bucked the trend and lived up to his "Hs" in his third professional code. Surpassed them, even. Based on the cold, hard figures of Folau's 800 minutes as a professional rugby player, debate over whether the 24-year-old is good enough to be a Wallaby is surely over. Folau is not only already leading a bunch of attacking stat categories in the Australian conference, he's topping Super Rugby as well. Folau leads the comp for runs (10 a game) and run metres (108m), and is in the top tier for tries scored, offloads and tackle busts. But here's the rub: Folau is getting better each week. In Port Elizabeth, Folau turned in his best stats across EVERY category - including 206m run, 16 tackle busts, seven offloads and two try assists. Jake White's fair objections about Folau's commitment carry weight for some, but form is form is form. Given so much rides on beating the Lions, don't expect Deans to give a toss if Folau will be a Bulldog, a Waratah or a prima ballerina next year. Folau's jersey size has already been measured in Wallabies camps so the only question left, really, is what number will be ironed on to the back? Despite playing fullback at the Tahs in all but one game, the likelihood is Folau will be seen as a winger at Test level. Pressure will be the name of the game against the Lions, and the Tahs' run-run-run tactics won't be copied. The Wallaby No.15 will be required to use his boot wisely, and while Folau has got one, his kicking game has rarely been used this year. Jesse Mogg, Kurtley Beale or even James O'Connor provide the proven boots. Folau's brilliance in the air, both defensively and offensively, would arguably be better employed on the wing as well. Asked if he was still looking at Folau as a wing, Deans said: "Oh yeah. He has got background on the end of the chain, if you like. The question was followed by a query whether the Lions was a series too soon for Folau. Deans replied: "Clearly, he's going to get better and better with time." Time, in this instance, being every seven days.