Folau faces month out through injury
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 hamstring injury five years ago.
The Waratahs star faces a month on the sidelines after limping off in the fourth minute in Canberra, with NSW 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 ( in 2013). I know the feeling, so I knew straight away to come off.”
On that occasion Folau missed five weeks. 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 their second bye.
That would give Folau a full month to recover before the Waratahs start their make- or- break 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. I’ll continue supporting the boys while I’m on the sidelines, making sure I’m doing my work to get myself ready.”
Folau’s replacement on Saturday, Alex Newsome, performed well enough to get a starting spot in Tokyo, while Cam Clark should earn a spot on the bench.
NSW held on for a 24- 17 victory at GIO Stadium, climbing to second in the Australian conference.