Israel Folau to return for big four Kiwi teams after hamstring injury
A HAMSTRING injury will sideline Israel Folau for a month, and the Waratahs ace aims to return stronger ahead of a make-or-break sequence against four New Zealand teams in a row.
Rugby
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ISRAEL Folau knew he had to get off the field immediately after his first run against the Brumbies last Saturday, because he endured the same injury five years ago.
The Waratahs star faces a month on the sidelines when he limped off in the fourth minute of play in Canberra, and NSW now enters a critical three-game block without their strike weapon.
“My first run, I just went to take off and felt it go,” Folau said.
“I’ve done the same hammy in the past, against the British & Irish Lions (in 2013), I know the feeling, so I knew straight away to come off.”
On that previous occasion, Folau was able to rest for five weeks and make his return against the All Blacks.
The early prognosis is another grade one tear to his left hamstring.
NSW faces the Sunwolves in Tokyo, before hosting Queensland and South African leaders the Lions before their second bye.
That would give Folau a full month to recover before the Waratahs start their make-or-break sequence against four New Zealand teams in a row.
“At this stage we’re not entirely sure, I’ll probably get a scan Monday or Tuesday and go from there, see how bad it is, and make sure I’m doing the rehab to get back,” Folau said.
“I’ll make sure after the scan I work with the physios and medical team to get my rehab done, and making sure it’s not rushed, that when the hammy is ready to come back, whenever that is.
“I’ll continue supporting the boys while I’m on the sidelines, making sure I’m doing my work to get myself ready.
“We’ve got plenty of guys that haven’t had the opportunity to play this year, like (Cam Clark), just waiting for the opportunity to come.
“The boys are doing well in those positions, there’s a lot of competition within the team and it keeps everyone on their toes.”
Folau’s replacement last Saturday, Alex Newsome, performed well enough to get a starting spot in Tokyo, while Clark should earn a spot on the bench.
“(Newsome) played really well, he was one of our standout players, did a great job,” Folau said.
“He’s done well for us all year so far, bring that impact off the bench, he was great (against the Brumbies).
“He’s a confident kid, real talkative around the group, speaks his mind — you can tell by the way he plays the game.”
NSW held on for a 24-17 victory at GIO Stadium, climbing to second in the Australian conference.
“It’s such an important game to get a win, it puts us in a real positive position to go forward from here,” Folau said.
“It’s a tough couple of weeks ahead of us but the guys are looking forward to the challenges.
“If we can secure a few wins in the next three weeks it will put us in a good position for the competition.”
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Originally published as Israel Folau to return for big four Kiwi teams after hamstring injury
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