The defiant NSW Waratahs are vowing to storm Christchurch and pull off an “unthinkable” win over Super Rugby’s defending champion Crusaders on Saturday.
But playmaker Bernard Foley has warned teammates they can’t rely on game-breaking fullback Israel Folau to reignite the Waratahs’ spluttering campaign following two straight home defeats.
The Australian conference leaders are suddenly vulnerable after Saturday night’s 24-21 loss to the Blues and must conjure at least one win out of a season-defining three-game stretch against the Crusaders and fellow New Zealand heavyweights the Highlanders and Chiefs.
Returning from five weeks out with a hamstring injury, Folau was a shining light for the Tahs with a blinding display in his preferred role of fullback.
So much so that his wife Maria even took to Twitter to ridicule the Wallabies superstar’s selection on the wing for his previous two outings.
“OMG @NSWWaratahs why do you keep playing @IzzyFolau on the wing???? ????????????????????????????” the New Zealand netball international posted.
Folau’s electric display despite his lengthy lay-off didn’t surprise coach Daryl Gibson one bit.
“He’s a champion player and that’s what we expect of our best players and he showed again tonight why he is a champion,” Gibson said.
“Really full of energy. Every time he got the ball he was a real threat, so it’s good to have him back.”
Foley, though, knows it will take much more than Folau’s heroics for the Waratahs to take down the Crusaders and register Australia’s first Super Rugby win over a Kiwi outfit in New Zealand since NSW’s defeat of the Hurricanes in Wellington in April 2015.
All up, Australian sides have lost 38 straight trans-Tasman clashes in the competition since the Waratahs beat the Chiefs in Sydney in May, 2016.
“Teams are too good now in Super Rugby to allow individuals to go out there and win matches,” Foley said.
“You’ve got to back the guys around you, your 14 other teammates on the field and that’s how we’ll get the win.”
The Wallabies five-eighth doesn’t believe the Waratahs have any mental barriers to overcome against Super Rugby’s titleholders and 2018 table-toppers.
“It’s more about enjoying the grind and not feeling that pressure and playing free, playing the style that we want to play and doing that for 80 minutes.
“We know Kiwi sides are really dangerous on turnovers and set piece they’ll hurt you too if you’re not switched on, so it’s a great challenge for us.
“We know what’s ahead of us and we’ve got to do the unthinkable, which is what other teams aren’t going to prepare for us.”
Taylorman
Guest
Izzys first match in NZ since his new found popularity. The reception will be interesting.
Malo
Guest
Without Izzy , Kepu and Hooper they would lose every game.
waxhead
Guest
Far too much empty talk from this dud Tahs team. Foley and Phipps are serial offenders. Crusaders by 30+ this week imo. Then 2 more NZ thrashings await the Tahs.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
I have just been assuming that that was the case Fionn, just like I am assuming that our 2019 World Cup effort will be a disappointment, because of these unresolved cultural issues. Your excellent point about Smith just highlights that.
Fionn
Guest
Interesting that when Ben Smith, the world's best fullback, is moved to the wing there aren't any complaints. Rhys, I think you'r absolutely right about it being a symptom of the player being bigger than the team. You might want to check out Wayne Smith's latest article. He is usually in the know and he heavily implies Izzy is a lock for the fullback jersey due to him preferring it to the wing, even though he thinks Beale should be at fullback and Izzy on the wing. It's interesting if it is true and not just conjecture.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
She doesn’t say much but Daryl is definitely off the invitation list for Sunday roast.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'd like to hear what Folau's mum had to say about Gibson's coaching please?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Yup, Mrs Izzy publicly telling Gibson how to run his show is just another symptom of everything that is wrong with allowing players to be built up to be bigger than the team. These people seriously need to get over themselves, it isn't like the man has won the Waratahs any worthwhile silverware since 2014 and the Wallabies haven't won the Bledisloe or the World Cup on his watch.
ncart
Guest
Now Folau's wife is going to publicly criticize the Waratahs selection decisions? Do these people not learn about keeping their opinions to themselves when they are public figures? Folau took some good high balls and ran strongly at times, even made a decent kick, which was a surprise. Would he not have been able to do that from the wing? I suspect however that the Crusaders will be smarter and not kick high balls to him, they are a very well organised side even without some of their key players.
John
Guest
Every time he got the ball he was a real threat. Really? Like that time early in the game and deep in his half when he fielded the kick and passed it - badly I might add - which directly led to the first try? [Mods. Snip. No name calling. WARNING]
Marty
Guest
Folau and Foley's inability to pass to the right led directly to the heat applied to Beale and the Blues first try. I thought bounce pass with just a basketball or netball thing.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Now I expect them to get a proper thrashing from the Crusaders. 13+ for sure. How the Tahs were favorites against the Blues I have no idea. No Aus sides will beat NZ sides this year in Super or International rugby.
Gavin
Guest
Sorry but not sure that Folau was that outstanding. He did the things that you would normally expect of a fullback but nothing exceptional. It was more than he look good because the rest performed so badly. His poor judgement allowed the Blues first try.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Sorry everyone but our players are all soft in the head. They do not genuinely believe they can beat any of the NZ and thus ensure they fulfil an seemingly endless cycle of defeats. The prime examples of this last night was that just awful choice of the cross kicks and Paddy Ryan's (who else) bobbling of the ball when the pressure was on. Frankly, the players should be embarrassed with themselves and we as the fans should not longer accept this rubbish.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Foley should button his lip and worry about his game. One Blues try came because he didn't find the line with a penalty. Izzy is a great player but wing or perhaps 13. A position where he doesn't have to worry too much about kicking, There are some good players on all the teams but there are just too many silly mistakes in their games.Mistakes that would have a juniors coach pulling theirm hair out.
freddieeffer
Guest
Bernard, please say nothing pre-match or post-match; please say it all on the pitch and let it reflect on the scoreboard. Can the CEO's of the 4 Oz SR franchises and/or coaches and/or RA come out and say something honest to the fans about the state of the embarrassing SR rugby we have been getting for years, and what they are doing about it; or RESIGN immediately.
Puff
Guest
Words are cheap. The Crusaders in Christchurch may require something much more robust than Foley’s stout words. Perhaps clinical finishing would be a start. The weather is the only big equalizer but the Crusaders are a quality team and will be difficult to disrupt on their home track.