He’s won a stack of team and individual honours and accolades, but Wallabies fullback Israel Folau is hoping to break his All Blacks drought with more than just a single win in Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider.
Heading into the game at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, Folau has yet to play in a victorious Australian team against New Zealand, having experienced five defeats and a draw in six matches.
“The history of the games (against New Zealand) I’ve been involved in hasn’t been too good,” Folau conceded on Tuesday.
Folau is far from the only current Wallaby yet to savour victory over the All Blacks.
But the word champions remain a stubborn stumbling block and one of the most implacable foes he has faced in a career filled with success, apart from his stint with AFL club GWS Giants, who were always going to struggle in their early seasons.
Asked where a win over the All Blacks would rank among his career highlights, Folau said: “It would be a great achievement obviously, but having one win is probably not good enough.”
The match-winning back said he was excited about the World Cup starting next month, but was adopting a one game at a time attitude until then.
Folau played at the 2008 rugby league World cup and will be hoping to avoid a similar outcome to that tournament, when Australia lost the final to New Zealand.
Wallabies’ coach Michael Cheika closed Tuesday’s training session to the media, though passers by in the Centennial Parklands precinct with good vision or a set of field glasses would probably have got a decent look.
The coach upped the ante for his charges on Tuesday after declaring himself dissatisfied with the previous session.
“They trained really hard and I was really pleased with the session today,” Cheika said.
“I asked a lot of them. I was probably not too happy with yesterday’s session and I wanted to get the guys concentrating on having a really good day.”
Asked what he wasn’t happy with on Monday Cheika said “just the consistency of what we’re doing, some of the handling, some of the contact work.
“That was yesterday and they definitely improved today.”
Prop James Slipper and inside back Matt Toomua each got through their first contact session after copping head knocks in the last Test against Argentina and Cheika said both should be available for selection for Saturday’s game.
“It was nice to be back in the contact work doing the full session,” Slipper said.
“It was really enjoyable, it was pretty intense today which was good.
“We really nutted out a few things which I think the team needed and moving forward I think we’re going to be better off from that session.”
wardad
Guest
Mate like many if not most Kiwi fans I dont count the Wallies out until I'm watching the replay for the second time just to be sure .
stillmatic1
Guest
zero, i agree, as a kiwi, that losing to you lot would be horrific, but i don't actually have the nervousness anymore in the tight games. the abs modus operandi seems to be winning in the final quarter nowadays, and maybe this has fed through to the fans also. the simple belief that the abs will pull the game out of the fire. last year at suncorp was tense, but it felt almost inevitable that we would get a chance to snatch the game (thanks white/foley). i think those jitters have well and truly left the building for this current crop, notwithstanding the nervousness of getting the actual result when thinking about it before kick off.
mapu
Guest
Come on and name the teams already.Getting excited!!
bazza
Guest
This is PALUS moment....No excuses..
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ Targa Thanks for sharing this brilliant read... another classic from Sumo playin' his sausage again, eh ?
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Skelton is a cheap-shot merchant.
Jameswm
Guest
Yeah Higgers and Fardy at 6 is a toss up for mine. I'd maybe go a 6-2 bench to include both. White and one other back - Beale perhaps, as he covers a lot of spots.
Old Bugger
Guest
could mix 'em up a bit and go.....oizy, oizy, oizy.....
taylorman
Roar Guru
Izzy Izzy Izzy, oy oy oy!
Old Bugger
Guest
Yes, I've always thought that Izzy Dagg had that imposition, about himself......but, good luck to your Izzy, this weekend.
Old Bugger
Guest
Yeah me too mate.....I got butterflies already and its only bloody Wednesday.....sheesh!! And, same to you this w'end.
Existentialist
Guest
that's our global reach unfortunately Kane ;) thanks ARU
Kane
Guest
Two games in NZ next year will be a tough ask
Kane
Guest
My apologies
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ Old Bugger Thanks for that... I seriously do love this time of year while desperately trying to fend off the nerves. All the best this w'end... it should be a cracker !
Magic Sponge
Guest
What Izzy wants Izzy gets
Old Bugger
Guest
Machooka Yes, of course the ABs get nervous, just like any other side that runs out to play - if you aren't nervous or have any butterflies, then you're in trouble....big time. They are a side that prepares well. They don't present themselves as being confident or arrogant before each game - they're just satisfied that they've prepared as best as can be and they let their walking, do the talking. If they lose, then so be it - it won't be the end of all ends because they know, they will have another opportunity to prepare better to reverse, that outcome. However, like all sides, they will be no different if they enter this match, with the will to win - it isn't anything exclusive to the ABs....it's just that will, encourages their effort, to pursue the win.
Zero Gain
Guest
Exactly right about the pressure valve. That is why I want Cheiks to play an experimental side. Play the nothing to lose cards and wait for an ambush at the RWC. A win by the ABs against our best team at home dents the Wallabies confidence. I wouldn't risk that. But a win by our second string guys elevates our confidence sky high, whilst a loss by them doesn't really do anything except tells us how good guys like Arnold are.
Zero Gain
Guest
I agree, a good team (the one in brackets) that would push the ABs. I would also have Higgers in the mix.
whydoncha
Guest
I think Cheika just wants them to harden up a bit and play like they mean it as they've generally been regarded as a bit "soft" but I agree some of them are still coming to terms with his definition of physicality. I agree re Skelton if he's selected to start as seems likely I'll be very surprised if he goes the full 80 against the pace of the AB's.