Israel Folau on losing side again in challenge against namesake

Two down in the Bledisloe, Israel Folau was hoping for some better luck when he took on his Kiwi namesake yesterday.

Wallaby Israel Folau and All Black Israel Dagg have a laugh during their multi-sport challenge to promote the Brisbane Global Tens. Picture: Annette Dew

Having suffered the ignominy of being hammered twice by the All Blacks in eight days, Israel Folau was hoping for some better luck when he took on his Kiwi namesake yesterday.

Folau and New Zealand backline star Israel Dagg went at it at Suncorp Stadium yesterday in a sporting challenge to promote the inaugural Brisbane Global Tens rugby tournament.

But the Wallabies came off second-best again with Folau being cleaned up by Dagg in a multisport battle that saw their variety of skills put to the test.

Dagg — who was a junior athletics star and plays golf off a six handicap — outdid Folau in their five-round battle, which saw them tested with kicking a roundball, an AFL ball, throwing an NFL ball and, of course, passing and kicking a rugby ball. “Mate, that is the thing with the All Blacks, they have so much depth and talent to call on … it’s scary,” a philosophical Folau offered.

“But this is what we play for … to test ourselves against the best. They are the best and we want to be where they are.”

It probably goes some way to explaining the scale of the Wallabies’ woes that they can roll out Australian rugby’s one genuine superstar for a lighthearted challenge and he arguably isn’t even the best Israel on the park.

Certainly, the All Blacks’ resolve was as impressive as it ever has been during last weekend’s thumping 29-9 win in Wellington, with the Wallabies’ attempts to ruffle the feathers of their Kiwi opponents with some niggling, even dirty, tactics through an especially physical opening 20 minutes, amounting to nothing.

And to think this New Zealand side was supposed to be in something of a rebuilding phase having farewelled legends Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith after their victory in last year’s World Cup final.

That’s some 453 Test caps worth of experience gone in one hit. Yet to watch the All Black machine roll on as they did, straight over the top of a hapless Wallabies, it is hard to see where they have felt any pain whatsoever.

The culture of excellence — which has allowed New Zealand to dominate Test rugby for the best part of a century — simply rolls on, with the performance of new skipper Kieran Read the perfect example.

“Richie McCaw was a legend not just of New Zealand rugby but he was one of, if not the biggest name in international rugby for more than a decade … his record as a player and a captain, it will never be equalled, I don’t think,” Dagg said. “But Kieran Read has been a mountain of strength for us ever since taking over as captain. He knew he was replacing an icon, but he has come in and made a real impact with the way he has gone about leading the side on and off the park.

“He is different to Richie, but I think you only have to see the way the team has played — the attitude we have brought to each Test and the mindset of the group … it is a reflection of the standards he sets as a leader.

“I know Richie will always be held up as something special, but I think Kieran has already started to carve out his own legacy as All Blacks captain.”

The Australians’ tactics in Wellington drew stinging criticism across the ditch.

Dagg, however, dismissed suggestions it showed a lack of respect, insisting that when Australia and New Zealand square off in anything it is a case of finding a way to win … by any means necessary.

“It’s not tiddlywinks,” Dagg said. “It’s a physical sport, a physical game and there are two sides that really want to win.

“Tempers flare and things happen, it’s just part of the game.

“They’re emotional, we’re emotional ... it’s like two bombs colliding.

“To say either side plays in a disrespectful manner … that is going a bit far.

“We’ve got respect for them and they’ve got respect for us but at the end of the day we are out there competing … hard.

“It is tough and as a player, I feel for what the Aussie guys are copping but in saying that, there’s only one winner.

“They’ve just had a run where things haven’t gone right for them.

“I’m sure it will turn around quickly and you guys will start loving them again.”