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Israel Folau wants more air time in Waratahs attack
Israel Folau wants more ammunition to launch his deadly aerial raids after becoming Super Rugby’s all-time joint top try-scorer and rocketing the NSW Waratahs into title reckoning with a stunning display against the Crusaders.
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Crusaders coach Scott Robertson ruefully declared “Israel Folau should be working for NASA” after the superstar fullback brought the record-setting defending champions crashing back to earth with a 20-12 defeat after 19 straight wins.
Folau twice soared into the stratosphere to set up tries off Bernard Foley bombs, the latter sealing victory with a five-pointer of his own that drew the code-hopping freak level with former All Black Doug Howlett on 59 tries.
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The dual international cashed in on a deliberate Waratahs tactic to attack the Crusaders in the air, but it’s a ploy Folau believes his side doesn’t use enough.
“Of my 59 tries (in Super Rugby), I’ve probably been lucky to get maybe 10 of them off kicks,” Folau said.
“So it’s something that I’d like to see a lot more because I’m obviously confident in my ability to try and get up and contest for the balls.”
In good news for Waratahs fans, coach Daryl Gibson said he was happy to bow to his attacking trump’s wishes.
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“Like the champion player he is, when you ask him to pull out something special, he does,” Gibson said.
“It’s probably the first time that we’ve actually played that tactic. We haven’t really been kicking him enough ball, nor been good enough in putting it in the right areas for him.
“The best way to get through these guys is through the air and the best way to do that is to go to your go-to man.”
Folau has no doubts the Waratahs can build off their precious win over the competition’s benchmark outfit but placed the onus on teammates to consistently deliver.
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“I know we’ve definitely got it in us,” he said of last year’s semi-finalists.
“But when you’re playing the best team in the comp for a long time, I think any team can step up.
“The challenge going forward now is not being complacent with that win.”
The Waratahs, who have leapfrogged the Melbourne Rebels to go top of the Australian conference, next face the Sunwolves in Newcastle on Friday night.
They could be without Jed Holloway, another try-scorer against the Crusaders, after the hard-working lock suffered rib cartilage damage on Saturday night.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle on Sunwolves axing:
-RugbyPass/AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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