By profession, I am a rugby league man, but I’ve bought a ticket to the Super Rugby grand final this weekend. I have done so for one – no, make that two – reasons.
The first is that I am a dedicated NSW sports fan and our union team, the NSW Waratahs, has richly earned its first-ever home decider. Michael Cheika’s men have been bang on the money all year and I really want to see them ice the cake against the Crusaders from Kiwi-land.
The second reason – and, come to think of it, this should have been my first – is that Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale are playing.
I really love watching these guys play. They play like league-ies in rugby union uniforms and they look good – really, really good. They are bordering on outstanding, but that’s only when someone decides it might be a good idea to give them the ball.
I’ve watched the ‘Tahs closely all season.
They’ve played great and positive footy and deserve their finals berth. Collectively, they are a highly talented team but to my eyes, they only become ‘special’ when Folau and his good friend, Beale, enter the fray with their ad-hoc, instinctive gifts and style of play.
I believe these guys are the primary reason the Waratahs are sitting pretty in the game of the year. If one or both weren’t in Blue jumpers, I feel NSW would be watching on yet again.
Folau and Beale both have rugby league backgrounds – and wouldn’t rugby league love to get their hands on them in the near future! It may happen, it may well not.
Israel, of course, played his early football with the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm. He achieved state and international honours before trying his hand at AFL.
Everyone knows Beale was a product of the famous rugby nursery, St Josephs College, but before that, he was stand-out talent for Mt Druitt in the Penrith rugby league juniors.
He was destined to stay in league before his grandfather spotted an opportunity for him in union and urged him to take up a scholarship for schooling and rugby union at the famous Joeys college.
Folau and Beale have chosen to play union at this point of their careers and the code has become a very handsome winner on the back of their incredible skills, athleticism and spontaneity. I think I am right to say that union was in dire straits before they came together.
There is no need to cite statistics to demonstrate how incredible an impact Folau and Beale have had on the Waratahs this season. I think their contribution, both individually and together, is obvious.
They seem to know how to engineer points when many around them are scratching their heads.
I am not saying either of them is Superman. Nor am I saying that the genuine rugby players around them are no-hopers, no-talents or anything negative. But the Waratahs – and the Wallabies, while I am in this vein – are indeed blessed to have Folau and Beale in their midst.
The code was in major trouble before they got together. Tries were at a premium, Test wins were becoming scarce, the type of football being played was boring to the power of three. Rugby union was battling for media mentions against the other three football codes, but the tide has turned dramatically for the better.
As I write this, two men with a rugby league foundation are at the forefront of all that is good in the resurgence of both the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
While union is definitely on an upward trajectory, these two players are riding on top of the wave.
The NSW team has plenty of top-class footballers but in my view, the big danger to the Crusaders will emanate from backline instigators Folau and Beale.
If they aren’t seen and used as the go-to men, I don’t think the Waratahs can bloom.
Adrien
Guest
Your last sentence is absolutely irrelevant. Scrums don't win games, as it was clearly shown in the Wallabies demolition of France back in 2010. France dominated all the scrums and even got a penalty try from there. Wallabies kept passing out wide with way more skillful players and won by 50 in Paris. Gifted and skillful backs win games in Superugby and referees and goalkickers usually win game in northern hemisphere competitions.
Clark
Guest
George has improved his fitness and lost a bit of weight since going to Melbourne.
Clark
Guest
I also think if people knew Matai off the field, they would definitely re think their hate.
Sportfreak
Guest
because Cowelly, believe it or not, it is not the dream of most rugby players to end up in the NRL. When will you blokes realise that the solution to everything is not to waive money in front of something.... The likes of the Tigers, Raiders, Titans, Sharks etc are receiving more $ than ever but are more broke than ever. Just maybe Izzy and Beale are absolutely loving playing rugby.....
Champ
Guest
Is Shane still able to play and covert quickly -please...
Cowelly
Guest
Why haven't the NRL followed through with their "new salary cap laws" and signed these two blokes? Seriously. While you're at it, sign an all-black. Stick a massive knife in the broke ARU and put an even bigger one in the NZRU.
fiver
Guest
I think players in all positions are just getting bigger, but i doubt anyone would mistake Sam Kasiano for being a winger or halfback. No one would mistake Nathan Merritt for being a prop.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
There's the problem. Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes where league is now a one size fits all with a few exceptions. Even wingers can be mistaken for forwards, they all look the same.
LT18
Guest
Exactly. That's why this article is utter rubbish.
Bunratty
Guest
Yep
chis
Guest
Can we not have one code of Rugby to enjoy please or maybe if we did the likes of Australia,New Zealand and England would be the only top tier nations ?
JayBob
Guest
Lol exactly Ken. Everyone knows Beale because of off-field issues and everyone knows Folau because he played League and AFL. You'd be pressed trying to find people in any state knowing the rest of the team. Most don't even know players from the Wallabies let alone super 15 clubs. Probably because Union doesn't get any air time(well didn't until Folau went there) and still can't secure a Free-to-air TV deal, so to the average Australian they are never heard of.
JayBob
Guest
No it's because of his defensive issues, he wasn't going to crack the top grade in League any time soon.
Rob9
Roar Guru
Well he almost averages a try every 3 tests so you might have a point.
Tim Prentice
Expert
AAC can make breaks but they become too many full stops for my liking.
Rob9
Roar Guru
Who will make the breaks? How about AAC who I mentioned to you above finished the regular season third in the competition overall for clean breaks? A hypothetical backline of Phipps Foley Betham Horne AAC Alofa Crawford represents a significant amount of strike power (including 5 Wallabies) and would stand tall against most Super Rugby teams. There are plenty of guys there who are no strangers to finding the white line. Considering they’d be playing behind one the competitions most dominant packs and it can really only be seen as laughable and absurd to suggest so definitively that the Tahs would be making up the numbers.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Strong unit, sure KB and Izzy have been brilliant this season and could decide the Final. However the Tahs a team in every sense of the word.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Tim, respectfully disagree with this comment. The Tahs have a strong pack, that doesn't change. They have the pieces in the backs to form a very good backline regardless of who plays. If for example KB and Izzy were injured and missed the Final, the Tahs would still be a chance. Horne to 12, Betham to wing and Crawford to fullback. Izzy was very well contained last Saturday as was KB for the most part yet they still found a way to win. That's the sign of a str
Rob9
Roar Guru
And that probably sums up how much rugby you’ve watched this year. Sure, passing isn’t his strength, but it was also considered a weakness of one of our greatest 13’s of the professional era in Stirling Mortlock. There were a number of years where he was also considered a world XV outside centre also. AAC has been a victim of being considered a ‘Mr Fix-it’ and shuffled across the backline to plug holes which hasn’t allowed him the opportunity to make a jersey his own, and 13 has always been the best spot for him. Over the last 2 or 3 seasons, he’s managed to play almost all of his rugby at 13 and he’s shined and shown his true worth. It’s why your opinion on him would now well and truly occupy the minority. His international caps now numbered in the 90’s and the fact he’s a vice captain, suggests people who know far more about rugby than you or I don’t share your assessment either. I’m not disagreeing with you that Beale and Falou are and have been incredible attacking weapons for the Tahs. But anyone suggesting their attacking prowess starts and finishes with them and cannot see other valuable members of this Tah side (backs and forwards) needs to open their eyes or learn more about the game.
fiver
Guest
If Folau came back to League he would probably play fullback where I don't think he would be wasted, considering players like Hayne and Inglis play there and both eclipse Folau in raw talent and ability.