When Israel Folau crossed for his second try against the Highlanders at Allianz last night, the champion Waratahs fullback hit the 50 career mark.
He now has his crosshairs zeroed in on Doug Howlett (59), Caleb Ralph (58), and Joe Roff (57), with Stirling Mortlock, Bryan Habana, and Christian Cullen locked on 56 as Super Rugby’s leading try-scorers of all time.
Folau, along with Kurtley Beale, and Bernard Foley, tore into the Highlanders for a comprehensive 41-12 victory to end the embarrassing drought of 40 successive losses by Australian franchises to New Zealand opponents, lasting 722 days.
When the big three fire the Waratahs fire, it’s as simple as that.
The knockers are saying the Highlanders were crippled by winger Tevita Nabura being red-carded for deliberately kicking opposite number Cam Clarke in the face, and two minutes later halfback Aaron Smith was binned for a deliberate knock on.
Sure they battled, as any side would with 14 men for 61 minutes, but not to the extent of a 41 points to 12 result, which was comprehensive.
Last night was how the Waratahs should play every week with up to 11 Wallabies in the starting lineup.
They were a pleasure to watch, instead of the rubbish rugby they’ve played far too often in giving away basic elements of penalties, turnovers, and missed tackles.
Last night it was just seven penalties, 15 turnovers, and 13 missed tackles, less than half the norm.
And for good measure, the Waratahs won all seven of their lineouts.
What a difference those stats made in the overall performance.
The Waratahs ran in six tries to two, covering 474 metres in the process to just 250 to dominate from the kick off and record their biggest win over the Highlanders in 23 seasons.
The Waratahs now lead the Australian Conference by six points as the only team in the black for and against, with plus 65.
The Rebels are minus 33, the Reds minus 110, the Brumbies minus 65, and the Sunwolves minus 155.
It’s a big if, but if the Waratahs continue to play exciting and disciplined rugby like last night, they will be a genuine threat come finals time.
And that never appeared possible earlier in the season.
Kane
Roar Guru
Well that is all but buggered his chances of claiming the record...
Kane
Guest
Ireland are fast becoming Israels bogey team as SA were Jonahs. Just can't quite cross that white line.
Coconut
Guest
It will take a very long time before anyone equals Dan Carter's record as the greatest point scorer player of all time...
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
He isn't the only one in the team like that. Check out his captains solo runs into space.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Malo, have you ever heard of or seen Ben Smith or Israel Dagg play? Folau wouldn't make the top 10 on my list of international fullbacks. Do't think he would make the list for top 5 Australian Fullbacks. Give him #14 with a roving attacking mandate, and he will get much higher on the lists. I don't like the way he plays, but I can't come up with a better eligible 14 in Australia. Hodge, Banks, DHP, Hegarty, Maddocks are better suited to 15, but often play 14.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I have only seen the highlights reel but is nothing new by my observations.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
There are some mechanics at play too. Folau is a tall unit, with a high center of gravity which he uses to full effect in the air and for agility. Banks, Smith, DHP and Dagg are smaller versions of the build. A relatively good tackle will bring them down You classic 11's: Bus, Tanq, Jonah and now Ben Lam have a low center of gravity and when at pace can plow through pretty much anything they want to. It is an exercise in physics, with inertia in the drivers seat, the tackle has to be textbook perfect to stop them.
cuw
Guest
its a little strange that Folau is not going thru players , given his size. Lam goes thru like 2 -3 defenders to score. in his prime Savea did too. i think guys like Sailor did manage to go thru defenders - and even kerevi does it. Folau at times manages to step defenders - but rarely goes thru them. perhaps the way he runs?
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Care must be taken when judging a finishers performance. How many of their tries are team tries How many wouldn't have been scored if it wasn't for their efforts? How Many assists did they make How many did they prevent or let through. Folous pair in the last game could have been scored by anyone, yet they still make it onto his stat sheet. Most of the ones I have seen Lam score have been busting runs, many from nothing, the rest from his team.
John
Guest
play it again Fionn :)
piru
Roar Rookie
O'Folau
piru
Roar Rookie
piru rugby world magazine does not deserve that kind of a comment What kind of comment? Way to knock over the chess board when you're losing
Machpants
Roar Guru
He'll take it IF, big IF, he signs again for Union.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah just a bit of fun Dave. Every now and then Messa comes out with these overblown Tahs, Wallaby, Folau statements and usually gets tied up in a knot trying to paint an illusion that doesnt exist, then disappears when too many point out the flaws.
Faith
Guest
The ABs prolly gave up that give the ball to one player (Lomu) after they lost the '95 RWC Final. Folau is a great player but if he'd been in NZ they would have made him a more rounded player. Forced him to work on kicking, support play etc. Quade Cooper is another player like that - if he'd gone through the NZ system his natural talent might have been buffered with the basics?
Dave from Mt Druitt
Guest
Stop trying to reason with RTT and Rugby Tragic Too. They are set to in their opinion and will not change regardless. I have my own opinion and while Folau does things on the field his actions are no more than what is expected of a player in his position. In regards to being the best player that title belongs to the player that has the ability to change the course of a game, determine the outcome or imspire his team to win regardless of the situation. I don't see Folau having that ability.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes agree, at flanker 70 straight is amazing, incredible even.
Taylorman
Guest
Barrett has been officially named worlds best player for two years straight. The panel includes several of the worlds greats including Eales from memory. So no Farrell is not the best, and hes far from it. Barrett is. Deal with it.
Taylorman
Guest
Only in your mind Essa, something you need to deal with every day. If that was ‘Convincing’ what happened in the first bled, and the England and Scotland vs Wallabies then? Close I suppose? Winnable if not for a forward pass perhaps? Geez youre funny.
Kane
Roar Guru
No ones doubting that he scored 12 last year. This year will start harder with three tests against the Irish who he's never scored against instead of Fiji, Italy, and a weakened Scottish team. Who is to say he won't have another run like he has done scoring just 3 tries in 26 tests? Lets just wait for the Irish series