Try Izzy might, fullback has fans seeing double
FOOTBALL freak Israel Folau is poised to achieve another unprecedented cross- code double as the first player to top the season tryscorers’ list in both Super Rugby and the NRL.
Already entrenched in sport’s history books for numerous Test and tryscoring records in both rugby league and rugby union, the New South Wales Waratahs and Wallabies star is set to notch another milestone in the last round of Super Rugby’s regular season this weekend.
With 12 tries from 11 appearances for the Waratahs in 2014, Folau enters Saturday night’s tussle with the Queensland Reds three tries clear of Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo.
Barring an improbable fourtry haul from Nadolo against the Highlanders, and none from Folau in Brisbane, the Waratahs fullback will match his feat from his NRL debut season with Melbourne Storm.
In 2007, Folau finished the regular season as the League’s equal- leading tryscorer with North Queensland Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen with 21 four- pointers – the most by an NRL rookie, eclipsing Storm teammate Billy Slater’s previous record of 19.
The latest double will add to a lengthy list of records set by the only player ever to com- pete in the NRL, AFL and Super Rugby competitions.
At 18 and 194 days old in 2008, Folau became Australia’s youngest rugby league Test player.
After a two- season stint in the AFL, Folau last year became the first player to complete the NRL rookie of the year and Super Rugby rookie of the year double.
He capped his spectacular entrance to rugby on the 2013 European tour when he equalled Lote Tuqiri’s record for most tries by a Wallaby in a calendar year.
With the Waratahs in pole position to finally break their Super Rugby title duck, Folau is on the cusp of more history.