Waratahs lose Folau for month

RUGBY UNION: Israel Folau knew he had to get off the field immediately after his first run against the Brumbies on Saturday, because he endured the same injury five years ago.

The star Waratah faces a month out after limping off in the fourth minute in Canberra, leaving the side entering a critical three-game block without their strike weapon.

“My first run, I just went to take off and felt it go,” Folau said.

“I’ve done the same hammy in the past, against the British and Irish Lions (in 2013). I know the feeling, so I knew straight away to come off.”

On that previous occasion, Folau was able to rest for five weeks and make his return against the All Blacks.

The early prognosis is another grade one tear to his left hamstring.

NSW faces the Sunwolves in Tokyo, before hosting Queensland and South African leaders the Lions before its second bye.

That would give Folau a full month to recover before the Waratahs start their make-orbreak sequence against four New Zealand teams in a row.

“At this stage we’re not entirely sure – I’ll probably get a scan Monday or Tuesday and go from there, see how bad it is, and make sure I’m doing the rehab to get back,” Folau said.

“I’ll make sure after the scan I work with the physios and medical team to get my rehab done, and making sure it’s not rushed, that when the hammy is ready to come back, whenever that is.

“We’ve got plenty of guys that haven’t had the opportunity to play this year ... just waiting for the opportunity to come.”

NSW held on for a 24-17 win at GIO Stadium, climbing to second in the Australian conference.

“It’s such an important game to get a win. It puts us in a real positive position to go forward from here,” Folau said.

Round 7: Chiefs 27 d Highlanders 22; Hurricanes 50 d Rebels 19; Sharks 63 d Blues 40; Waratahs 24 d Brumbies 17; Bulls 33 d Stormers 23. Played overnight: Lions v Crusaders. Bye: Sunwolves, Jaguares, Reds