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Israel Folau will be playing his 66th international tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium, but how many more are in store in the gold jersey?
There has been a concerted push of late to point out his rugby “failings”, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Sure the 29-year-old isn’t the traditional rugby fullback, but who gives a rats, he’s the go-to man for the Wallabies with his outstanding ability and agility. He is able to turn a game in a nano-second.
There’s been talk of Folau switching to the Queensland Reds where coach Brad Thorn would welcome him with open arms.
But there’s a bigger chance for the Broncos, where Folau starred in 2008 and 2009 by scoring 37 tries in 39 games.
Be it Wayne Bennett or Anthony Seibold coaching the Broncos next year, signing Folau would be a huge coup.
But losing Folau to rugby league would be a tragedy for both the Waratahs and the Wallabies, especially the latter for next years Rugby World Cup.
Why so many in social media are so blinkered against such a superb talent defies description, and why should Folau have to put up with not being appreciated?
He knows where the try-line is with 44 from 73 games for the Waratahs, and 32 from 65 for the Wallabies. In total, 76 tries from 138 games amounts to value in any currency.
He has an even better strike rate in rugby league with two less defenders crossing for 36 from 52 with the Storm. Those 37 from 39 with the Broncos, five from five with Queensland Origin, and six from eight with the Kangaroos – making an overall 84 from 104.
Tomorrow night, if the Wallaby pack can win enough good clean ball, the quality quartet of Folau, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, and Bernard Foley can beat the All Blacks.
Israel Folau is crucial for Australia (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
But the ‘if’ is a mighty big ‘if’.
The All Black back five up front of Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, and skipper Kieran Read’s 348 caps to the Wallabies’ back five of Izack Rodda, Adam Coleman, Lakhan Tui, captain Michael Hooper, and David Pocock with 188.
But Hooper and Pocock own 161 between them, an enormous advantage to the men-in-black.
On the weight front there’s little in it with a total All Black pack tipping the scales at 576 kgs, to the Wallabies 570.
Hopefully there will be a sea of gold in the ANZ stands tomorrow night to support their side where I’ll back Israel Folau to be the key to the result to zip the knockers.
And even more hopefully to stay in rugby.