NSW coach Michael Cheika said throw Israel Folau to the Lions after the code-hopping star inspired the Waratahs to a gritty 25-20 win over the defending champion Chiefs in Friday night’s Super Rugby clash at Allianz Stadium.
A try to replacement hooker John Ulugia four-and-a-half minutes from fulltime earned the Waratahs a thrilling victory after the Chiefs had threatened a spirited comeback win from 15-0 down at halftime.
But the Tahs had man-of-the-match Folau to thank for keeping their finals hopes flickering.
The high-profile rugby league and AFL convert was instrumental in helping the Tahs to their big halftime lead and then produced a series of trysaving plays after the break.
In his most entertaining act, Folau soared high to reel in a pinpoint crossfield kick from five-eighth Bernard Foley to touch down two minutes before the break.
It was his fourth try in his rookie Super season, and third in four games, but first straight from the rugby league playbook, with the Waratahs surprisingly slow to tap into the former Kangaroo’s renowned aerial skills.
“I’m not quite sure why it’s taken us 10 weeks to work out that we can actually kick the ball over to him and he’ll jump up and catch it and score,” Cheika said.
“Maybe it’s my dud coaching, dumb coaching, I don’t know. Maybe the situation hasn’t occurred in the game.
“But it was smart from Bernard because we had the advantage so we had a free shot at it and he put himself in the right spot.
“And if you watch the tape, the catchers are looking at Izzy and not looking at the ball so that’s where he’s in charge of that situation.
“He did very well. He had a very good game … he’s adding a lot.”
Adding so much that Cheika felt Folau was challenging Brumbies revelation Jesse Mogg for the Wallabies’ fullback spot for the series against the touring British and Irish Lions.
“You’ll never know if he’s ready unless he plays. That’s the only way you’ll ever know,” Cheika said.
“In fairness, the kid in Canberra is playing pretty well. But he (Folau) is making big contributions to our team – lots of assists, lots of tackles beaten and he’s starting to get his D right.
“… We’ve got a stack of games to go before that happens and, like any player, if he keeps performing, he’ll be a shout.”
Brendan McKibbin’s conversion of Folau’s try gave the Waratahs their 15-point buffer at the break, but the match turned two minutes into the second half when NSW lock Sitaleki Timani was yellow carded for a high tackle on Tim Nanai-Williams.
The Chiefs immediately capitalised on their one-man advantage with replacement fullback Gareth Anscombe crossing and converting his own try five minutes later.
A McKibbin penalty goal briefly gave the Tahs some breathing space before two replies from Anscombe nudged the Chiefs within five points of the locals.
The titleholders appeared to have stolen the points when prop Ben Tameifuna swivelled his way over under the posts and Anscombe slotted the extras to take a 20-18 lead with the clock winding down.
But with NSW’s season on the line, Ulugia steamed onto a short ball from Foley to score the match-winning try that vaulted the Waratahs to seventh place on the ladder.
The only downer for the Waratahs was the loss of injury-plagued Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell to another hamstring strain and he looks in serious doubt for the team’s two-game tour of South Africa.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Timani was disgraceful.
Reginald Munday
Roar Rookie
one good game and he gets into the Wallabies. he's soooo awesome.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Maybe it's having Robbie in the crowd & players trying to impress for the Lions?
soapit
Guest
but he was playing a game he knew in and out when he did so. tough way to learn on the job
Jaffa
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Jaffa
Guest
Ok it's official, the man has the skills to pay the bills! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
The breakdown in France is not a place id love to be that's for sure. Timani would've been better off in Japan where he can swan around in the backline.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Timani will have to toughen up in France or he will be dropped. There is not much love for guys who look big and threatening but don't do what they are paid for. It might actually be a wake up call for him, who knows!?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
As Ben said last night, he is going to find life very tough in French Top14.... AAC, Hooper and Palu were the best with Honourable mentions to Douglas.
Justin2
Guest
Izzy played well enough but the praise heaped on his effort is laughable. One great try one awful let in and a few nice touches is not a man of the match effort. AAC was the best back on the park, great defence and his running game is back. Timani showed he doesn't belong in test footy, his technique in many errors isn't up to scratch.
Justin2
Guest
Timani was crap, utter crap.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
The Blues have got a pretty tough draw going forward so I'd be surprised if they finish top. JK has set the foundation for a good couple of years ahead though.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I suspect Rennie is looking ahead at the remaining schedule most of which are conference games and getting cute with the players' workload on that basis. They're missing Clarke and Schwalger in the forwards and clearly missing TBK in the backs. Having two first fives on the pitch is confusing things a bit as well and Cruden isn't 100%. It will be funny if the Blues win the NZ conference.
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
ANZ stadium packed with mad blues fans in origin would be just as intense of a pressure environment, maybe more so.
A Different Cat.
Guest
And the Sth Africans and All Blacks havnt faced a packed Suncorp stadium in an Origin decider. I'm not saying Israel will be used to it but he has faced the challenges that rep footy at the very higest level presents. In other words, he is more prepared than most Wallaby debutants. I'm worried about his kicking. He doesnt kick and there will be times that kicking is needed. If he does play wing or fullback you can bet the Lions will test this out. Farrell, Wilkinson and to a lesser extent Sexton will be able to pressure Australias back 3 and if all Israel can do is run and not kick, that is a problem. I'm not sure I'd pick him to play tomorrow but there will be 6 games from now until the squad heads into camp and if Israel continues to improve at this rate we may have a trump card. I say we because I'm half n half Kiwi and Australian so Im lucky enough to call both countries home and before you ask, I support Australia against everyone except NZ, in that game I'm wearing black n white and turn the volume up during the haka.
Dan
Guest
Maybe... though 80,000 bluse fans at an Origin match is pretty hostile. If he were a blues player he would have better credentials in many ways though, because having 50,000 pissed off Qlders at Suncorp is prettty character building
WEST
Roar Guru
he hasn't meet a packed SA stadium or the All Blacks at Eden Park different kettle of fish. Yea im sure he will handle it tho on the right path.
winston
Roar Rookie
Yeah, way too many changes from Rennie for my liking. They really need to settle on a backline.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Why is Rennie chopping and changing so much then? No other contender is doing it as much. Freshness is important but then again so is developing combinations and match awareness. When the Chiefs got a little structure in the forwards they started making easy yards. It was very disorganised but the intent was there. I'm at a loss to explain the New Zealand attitude to the breakdown and forward play in general this year. So surely after 9 games the experiment should be called off. It's bizarre.
PeterK
Guest
honestly you cannot just pick on form. If 1 player has slightly better form but another has a better combination then that counts more. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Frontrow, and halves are the most important for combinations.