The rugby world will take a special interest in what Israel Folau does on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium against the Sunwolves.
Especially at Waratahs kick-off time.
Folau was suspended last week against the Rebels following a witch-hunt in the Test against Ireland for ‘clawing’ with Peter O’Mahony in an aerial battle for possession from the kick-off.
O’Mahony was stretched off after falling heavily.
Haven’t any rugby administrators ever seen an AFL game? Or haven’t they ever heard of the old saying, ‘watch the big men fly’?
So far this AFL season there have been a staggering 22,709 marks, averaging over 90 a game.
Get the message rugby, a total of 22,709 marks have been awarded this season with a massive number of markers climbing up an opponent’s back to reach great heights.
More often than not, the marker falls heavily, or awkwardly, but that’s the physical penalty for success.
The Folau suspension was laughed at in AFL circles, which begs the question: does World Rugby want to stop Folau being the undisputed best aerial rugby footballer on the planet?
But no-one will ever convince me, and many others, that the one-match suspension, which was the equivalent of being belted with a wet lettuce leaf, wasn’t a witch-hunt. Especially as the suspension coincided with the Waratahs’ most critical clash of the season, with the Rebels.
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That the Waratahs took care of the Rebels without both Folau and the hamstring-injured Michael Hooper spole volumes for NSW’s bottle.
The Australian conference front-runners go in against the lowly Sunwolves at Alliance on Saturday night and complete the regulation Super Rugby rounds with the Brumbies at the same venue on Saturday week.
The Rebels remain the closest rivals for the automatic play-off qualification afforded the conference winner, and they have the Reds at Suncorp and the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium next week to complete their schedule.
The Tahs have 39 competition points, the Rebels 35, but NSW are the only Australian franchise in credit on for and against, with plus 69, while the Rebels are the next best, with minus one.
The Waratahs have scored the third-most tries this season in the whole tournament, with 58, behind the Lions’ 71 and the Crusaders’ 64.
All those stats are vital in the overall, but the big picture has Israel Folau firmly in the frame.
Will he chance it to go aerial at kick-offs? I reckon he will, because he’s the best in the business by the length of the straight.
And it’s time for officialdom to drag itself into the 21st century.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
A bit belated in my reply Boomeranga but thank you for that reply. A really informed and superb comment.
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
Fair enough. Michael Lynagh and various commentator in the Australian media have in my view nudged the blame a bit onto Stander rather than accept that Folau should bear some burden of culpability. For me what he did wasnt too bad and he is some machine. I think a yellow in the game was enough.
aussikiwi
Guest
The hand of God......
piru
Roar Rookie
*Case closed*
Jacko
Guest
Wing or breast rolls are nicer...the neck gets to tough to bite into
Jacko
Guest
Piru i think you just explained it
Jacko
Guest
Some never even comment on the comments....some just go straight to attacking the comment writer..........some personally insult anyone who dare disagrees with them and some constantly fail to see anything other than "we was robbed" if an Aus team fails to win and some just cannot handle the same treatment they constantly dish out Some are a real problem on this site and constantly changing their user name does not hide these people
Drongo
Guest
You never seem to notice that NEVER post derogatory or abusive remarks about any NZ player or NZ admin. Hyper critical comments that often focus on our character are what I respond to. And I don’t use abuse to do it either. What does rampant negativity do to anything? Ruins it for everyone. So why not focus on your own problems and issues and let us worry about ours? Let us deal with our game in a positive constructive way.
Reality Check
Guest
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSHKAAAAAAA!!!
piru
Roar Rookie
You're suggesting that Israel Folau tipping a bloke upside down is an unexplained phenomenon?
piru
Roar Rookie
- Article about wallabies - Aussie commenter 1 " they should X" - Aussie commenter 2 "yes they should do X" - Aussie commenter 3 "agreed" - Kiwi commenter "agree" - Certain people "Hey shut up you stupid negative kiwi!"
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Sage, you and I agree on this. There are some equally provocative comments by non-Aussie posters too. In some discussions it is almost impossible to avoid, but seeing them creep into every discussion is tiresome. I, like you I am sure, would rather have proper discourse about issues without all the vitriol. A bit of tongue in cheek banter is sweet as, and I try and give a bit without being insulting or derogatory. If I ever do cross the line, I expect to be called on it.
Sage
Roar Rookie
Hi Paulo, There's a certain irony in your comments. The "us vs them" narrative could well be used to describe many of the anti Wallaby or Australian comments that appear regularly on this site. I don't think that line of constantly negative commentary adds to the conversation either. Some are much worse than others but it is consistent. Many times you'll read a headline and you can be pretty sure early responses will be from someone other than an Aussie making a disparaging remark. It seems at times that some just can't handle positive commentary about the Wallabies especially when it relates to the AB's. It becomes very predictable and tiresome. Some react quite strongly to it like Drongo, others have left the site because of it. Lets not be too superior in our take on negative narratives.
piru
Roar Rookie
You shouldn't judge people by where they come from, that's what they do in Queensland
Paulo
Roar Rookie
He went to the judiciary. The same judiciary process you like to crow about when they vindicate your own point of view. Your just embarrassing your self now.
Wal
Roar Guru
Have another look Bigbaz, I haven't commented anywhere other than to point out the irony in your comment based on DL's cut and paste article. You have added further irony by jumping down on me with pseudo-outrage and even an insult for good measure. poised over their keyboards, sweating on the arrival of your article ready to once again be outraged and write Go and have a long hard look in the mirror
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Drongo, your comments seem to create a lot of the us vs them narrative and don't seem to add a lot to the conversation in a constructive many. Just saying, we have all noticed. Although, it is clear and obvious this seems to be the main reason behind your posts. I know I shouldn't feed you, but I am bored waiting for my dole payment up here on the Gold Coast, and I'm not due in court for 4 hrs.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think we all missed the throat shot considering it didn't hit his throat. Watch Phipps reaction to an elbow in the throat, that's what happens when you get hit in the throat. you don't bounce straight back up again. The was illegal and off the ball, but bring the hysteria down a notch, how many weeks ago was it now?
Moniano
Guest
@Misha gees such a cheap shot!
moniano
Guest
@Sam, Mick the wallabies technical coach explained in AFL they are taught the right way to contest the high ball - and by that he means, it is taught to contest and to come down from their jump on their feet. It is from a coach who played and coach the game. It is wrong to call the action done by the WR a witch-hunt ; it is the inconsistency of decision of citing and administration of such policing of such incidents - Folau has 2 incidents where it clearly appeared in the first Ireland vs Australia he was the victim but the incidents were not cited either. Consistency is what fans are asking for. Issue is in my mind the laws are not concrete enough for fans to follow and understand like in the case of knock-on and forward pass, etc ..