Folau has Tuqiri s record in sightsFolau has Tuqiri's record in sights

[The InnFORCEr]

Jim Morton,
AAP November 27, 2013, 4:43 am


Already rated rugby's most dangerous player by wary rivals, Israel Folau can cap his phenomenal debut season this weekend by breaking Lote Tuqiri's calendar year try-scoring record.

Folau boasts nine tries from just 14 Tests and needs only one more to equal fellow league convert Tuqiri's mark of 10 set in 2004 when Australia meet Wales on Saturday night.

While Tuqiri's 10 came in less games (12) in his second season with the Wallabies, Folau has had to do it in a team who have lost more than they've won.

He showed his world-class traits with a man-of-the-match display against Scotland on the weekend, scoring one try and helping set up the other in a grinding 21-15 win at Murrayfield.

A modest Folau denied it was a simple game, instead paying credit to teammates and improving combinations in Australia's backline.

"It's definitely not easy," he said. "It's been a tough transition like I've said from the start.

"To get nine tries isn't what I was expecting in my first year but that doesn't come without ... the players around you that help you get over the tryline."

Six Nations champions Wales are braced for the dual international and one-time AFL forward's threats at Millennium Stadium, admitting they have to be far more careful with their kicking game to keep the ball out of his hands.

Recalled Welsh winger Alex Cuthbert believes Folau, who scored two memorable tries on debut against the British and Irish Lions in June, is the hardest man to contain in the game.

"He's the danger man, the man in form and probably one of the best players in rugby at the moment," Cuthbert said. "He's improving every game.

"There's no end to his skills in the air, his footwork and putting people away.

"We have to mark him closely and keep him away from the ball. If it's in the air we have to get him off his game. He's been managing to get the ball in the air and putting Australia on the front foot."

Now well entrenched at fullback, where he scored a hat-trick against Argentina in Rosario last month and followed up with , Folau's wing battle with giant Welshman George North was one of the highlights in the Lions' 2-1 series victory.

Although Australia will meet Wales in the group stages of the 2015 World Cup, Folau said there was already enough feeling in this weekend's clash considering 10 Lions will start for the home side.

"I think there is still a bit of spice in it, especially this year with the Lions," he said. "As a Wallaby it still stands clear in our minds and it's going to be a big contest this week."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...uqiris-record/

[PerthGirl]

I think Folau is a better player than Tuqiri was

[GIGS20]

I think Wendell Sailor is a better player than Tuquiri was
I think Matt Giteau is a better player than Tuquiri was
I think my Grandma is a better player than Tuquiri was

Need I continue?

[Muddly]

I think Wendell Sailor is a better player than Tuquiri was
I think Matt Giteau is a better player than Tuquiri was
I think my Grandma is a better player than Tuquiri was

Need I continue?

Yes please. I would like to see where you are going with this

[shasta]

I think my Grandma is a better player than Tuquiri was

Need I continue?

Nanna score more than 10 tries in Test season? Stick to coaching @ school. You're not gonna make a national team boss.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jargan83]

Bloody mungo

Get rid of him