Bring on the sledging again, says Israel Folau to ACT Brumbies ahead of Tahs’ grudge Super Rugby semi

KEEP the sledges coming, Israel Folau has dared the Brumbies ahead of their grudge semi-final on Saturday night.

Super Rugby Rd 19 - Reds v Waratahs

KEEP the sledges coming, Israel Folau has dared the Brumbies ahead of their grudge semi-final on Saturday night.

Folau revealed that in his last encounter against the Brumbies a month ago, he was taunted by their players, including those who are his Wallaby teammates, but it was water off a duck’s back.

“A couple of them [sledged me], it’s all part of the fun of the game,” Folau said.

“I just laugh it off and continue playing, it’s something that I enjoy.

“I don’t look at it as a negative.”

Asked who the culprits were, Folau smiled: “That’s confidential”.

Israel Folau takes a pass during a NSW Waratahs training session at Moore Park.

No doubt Folau can expect more barbs thrown his way at Allianz Stadium as the Brumbies seek any way to put the superstar fullback off his game in the battle for a grand final berth.

But Folau vowed to rise to the occasion in the pressure-cooker match, as the three-code star enters his first finals match since September 26, 2009, when his Brisbane Broncos were smashed 40-10 by Melbourne Storm.

“As a player, when I was a young kid, you always wanted to play in those big games,” Folau said.

“There’s nothing better than going out there and performing at your best and that’s what every player wants to do.

“You want to give 150 per cent on big games and that’s what I enjoy.

“I look at it as something you train so hard for and that’s the fun part about it — when you go out and play the game.”

And Folau is unconcerned by whatever the Brumbies are planning.

“Going into the game, everyone has to make sure their preparation is right, confident that we can play our style,” he said.

“We’re only worried the way we’re playing, we’re not even worried about them.”

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is highly confident that Folau, the only man to have topped the NRL and Super Rugby try-scoring lists in his career, will deliver against the Brumbies.

“He’s obviously a good player and one of the hallmarks of good players is when the big days are on, they’re there,” Cheika said.

“More often than not, if you have a look at Israel since he’s come to rugby union, when he’s been required by either us or by Australia, with only one year and a bit’s experience in the game, he’s stood up and delivered.”

Folau missed NSW’s last match a fortnight ago — a record 34-3 win over Queensland — due to a corked thigh but is fully fit for this weekend’s clash.

Folau’s future is the source of constant speculation as reports suggest he may return to the NRL, or be the subject of a $2.5 million offer from French giants Toulon after next year’s World Cup.

“All that off-field stuff, I leave it up to my management team, they worry about that stuff,” Folau said.

“I’m focusing on my job here with the Tahs.”

Cheika is equally unassuming about the persistent rumours.

“I don’t blame the league guys for sniffing around, it’s a professional game,” Cheika said.

“At the end of the day the guys are mature, they can decide what they want to do, all day, every day.

“I’m not stressed about those things.”

Originally published as Bring on the sledging again, says Israel Folau to ACT Brumbies ahead of Tahs’ grudge Super Rugby semi