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Stats show just how much Folau is missed at the Waratahs

Israel Folau and Michael Hooper

Maybe there isn’t hope for the NSW Waratahs beyond Israel Folau after all.

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At least not until they find a way to pick up the slack from Super Rugby’s all-time leading try-scorer.

As the suspended Folau prepares to fight for his career at a Rugby Australia code of conduct hearing in Sydney on Saturday, the Waratahs flew out of Sydney on Sunday to fight for their season on a two-game tour of South Africa.

Already reeling from a demoralising 23-15 home loss to the Sharks on Saturday night, the Waratahs lost Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu (calf), prop Rory O’Connor (ribs) and flanker Jack Dempsey (back) for crunch matches against the Bulls and Lions on the high veldt.

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Lock Jed Holloway also remained in Sydney ahead of his SANZAAR code of conduct hearing after being sent off for striking Sharks prop Thomas du Toit during the Waratahs’ forgettable first outing at Parramatta’s plush new Bankwest Stadium.

As if being down on big, aggressive forwards to take on the South African brutes wasn’t bad enough, damning statistics show how badly the Waratahs are missing not only Folau but also Taqele Naiyaravoro since the barnstorming winger defected to the English Premiership after last season.

Between them, Folau (11) and Naiyaravoro (15) bagged almost half of NSW’s 59 tries in 2018.

Even after being stood down for his controversial social media posts, Folau remains the Waratahs’ top try-scorer this campaign with four from seven games.

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From an average of almost five tries a game last year, the Waratahs are down to an average of less than three a match in 2019 – and have crossed for only two in both outings since Folau was suspended.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson admits there’s no quick fix for his side’s attacking woes.

“A lot of that try-scoring (last year) came out of two blokes – we acknowledge that,” Gibson said.

“But we seem to be putting ourselves in position to score tries and not taking them as w ell as we could.

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“We had some nice field position early in that game (against the Sharks) – two missed lineouts overthrown at the back and we’re not capitalising on those critical moments and not executing that stuff.

“And when you’re short of try-scoring, that’s going to hurt you.”

The Waratahs’ latest stumble left last year’s semi-finalists four points behind Australian conference leaders the Melbourne Rebels, who have already made the testing trip to South Africa.

“We’re certainly at a critical juncture. The season’s thrown a lot at us and it’s going to require us showing a great deal of resilience,” Gibson said.

“We’ve got a two-week tour now and it’s very clear what we need to get from that tour.”

AAP

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Nickers 23 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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