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Video - Israel Folau breaks All Black's Super Rugby try-scoring record in Auckland

Israel Folau’s milestone night ended on a sour note as the Waratahs went down 32-29 to the Blues in a tense Super Rugby thriller in Auckland.

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Wallabies star Folau scored one try and set up another to help the Waratahs claw back from 17-0 down on Saturday before they ultimately fell frustratingly short at Eden Park.

With his team trailing 22-21 midway through the second half, it was a loose pass from Folau that ultimately proved decisive, allowing Blues veteran Ma’a Nonu to charge 40m for the game’s final try.

It was unfortunate for the world class fullback, who was a threat throughout and leapt in trademark style from a Bernard Foley cross-kick to open the Waratahs’ scoring.

That was his 60th Super Rugby five-pointer, giving him the outright lead on the competition’s all-time try-scoring list, one clear of former Blues flyer Doug Howlett.

Folau turned provider for winger Alex Newsome in the second half while their other tries went to flanker Will Miller and reserve halfback Jake Gordon.

However, it wasn’t enough to make up for a mediocre start in which the Waratahs allowed the Blues to roll over the advantage line and rack up 17 points in 17 minutes.

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Former All Blacks great Nonu threw the last pass for tries to Tom Robinson and Caleb Clarke and they were never headed from there as the Blues clocked up a 10th win over the New South Welshmen at Eden Park in 11 meetings.

Folau said there was enough to suggest the Waratahs can rediscover their winning touch when they face the Australian Conference-leading Melbourne Rebels after next week’s bye.

“We shot ourselves in the foot by giving the Blues too much of a head start,” he said.

“There are a whole lot of positives out of this game. When we found ourselves in attacking opportunities, we turned that into points.”

Folau was humbled by the try-scoring record.

“It’s a huge honour and a privilege to get that personal accolade.< /p>

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“There’s some great names along that list there. It’s a team effort and without the team, those things wouldn’t be possible.”

Following last week’s shock loss to the Sunwolves, the Waratahs have a 3-4 record but cling on to eighth place overall.

The Blues improve to 4-3, having notched four successive wins for the first time since 2011.

There were some standout figures in a visiting pack missing the rested Michael Hooper, with prop Harry Johnson-Holmes enhancing his reputation, along with loose forwards Michael Wells and Jack Dempsey.

AAP

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Nickers 24 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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