Folau delivers better sermon on the field
Who knows what Israel Folau has been up to?
Between the lesson he’d been trying to give us all in Bible studies – and the criticism levelled at the Waratahs on Twitter by wife Maria – you could only assume the fullback was involved in a game of brinkmanship. With the Reds keen on his services, along with teams in his former code of rugby league, Folau looked like a guy wanting his contract terminated.
This isn’t another opportunity to argue the merits of what Folau has said about homosexuality or how others have responded to it.
We can all have our differing opinions on that. What’s easier to agree on is how well Folau has played in his return to the playing field and the immense mental strength that must’ve taken.
His performance in the Waratahs’ 31-29 loss to the Crusaders, in particular, was absolutely outstanding and
he went on to Say what you like about score two Israel Folau, left, but the tries in bloke can play. Saturday’s
memorable win over the Highlanders. It had been 722 days since an Australian Super Rugby side beat a New Zealand one and, while they can all say they never thought about it or spoke about it, no-one believes them.
It was a record that reflected poorly upon everyone associated with the Australian game and, with the rest of us bringing it up ad nauseam, players couldn’t help but be burdened by it.
Mind you, it was the least of the stuff potentially weighing on Folau. You can like or dislike him but men of lesser conviction would’ve folded in similar circumstances. And the Waratahs as a team, too. If for a rather different reason.
The Crusaders defeat could’ve hung over them for some time. Yes, the red card to Tevita Nabura and the sin-binning of Aaron Smith hardly aided the Highlanders’ cause at Allianz Stadium but Folau and the Waratahs were still worthy 41-12 winners.
And, given the way the conference system works, the Waratahs could yet have a significant say in the outcome of the playoffs.
As could the Jaguares. Their 54-24 win over the Bulls leaves them seven points adrift of South Africa conference leaders the Lions but having played one fewer match.
The Sunwolves might be last in the Australia conference but they’re at least basking in the warm glow of back-to-back victories. Having summarily dispatched the Reds a week ago, they then came from behind to beat the Stormers 26-23 in Hong Kong.
They now go to Melbourne to play the Rebels, on Friday, where you’d have to say they had a very real chance of winning.
The match of the round will be in Christchurch, though. Neither the Crusaders nor Hurricanes were especially impressive in their week 14 wins – over the Blues and Reds respectively – but they remain the competition benchmarks. National commitments means neither side will see their All Blacks until Wednesday. Otherwise the ingredients are all there for a quite memorable contest.