Israel takes Tuqiri's rugby advice

Israel Folau is on track to equal, or break, Lote Tuqiri's calendar year try-scoring record in this weekend's final 2013 Test against Wales in Cardiff.

Wallabies player Israel Folau

Israel Folau (pic) is on track to equal Lote Tuqiri's calender year try-scoring record this weekend. (AAP)

Lote Tuqiri's code-crossing advice to Israel Folau to trust his attacking instincts is paying off in spades for rugby's new leading dangerman.

It's also has Folau on track to equal, or break, his fellow dual international's calendar year Wallabies try-scoring record in 2013's final Test against Wales in Cardiff.

The freakishly-talented code-hopper boasts nine tries from just 14 Tests in his debut season to be just one off Tuqiri's mark of 10, set in his second year of rugby in 2004.

While Tuqiri's haul came in less games (12), Folau has had to do it in a spluttering team which has lost more Tests than it's won.

The 24-year-old's raw talent has seen him nominated for a spot in the IRB team of the year and has wary rivals rating him the most threatening player in the game.

Folau revealed that former Broncos and Waratahs winger Tuqiri encouraged him to take a simple approach to the more complicated code before he followed in his footsteps 12 months ago.

"He said to back yourself and play on instinct and that's what I've been doing, and just enjoying myself - it's been a great year," said the Wallabies fullback, who has built a lethal combination with Quade Cooper.

"We have spent a lot of time at training working with different combinations but I think most of it is instinct with what you see in the game."

In contrast to how easy he makes rugby look, the modest Folau believes it's been a tough transition since starring in his debut in a February trial in Tasmania with the Waratahs.

He says it's the instant decision-making of whether to run, pass or kick which he finds most enjoyable playing the 15-man code compared to league or AFL.

"It's a difficult tactical game where you have to be thinking constantly and that's something that I enjoy," Folau said.

"It's a lot simpler in league where you get six tackles and you run and generally in the last play you kick.

"Here in rugby it's certainly different; making split decisions and you have to make the right one. It's a big test but I enjoy the challenge."

Not only excited about the chance to equal Tuqiri's mark, Folau is looking forward to another tussle with giant Welsh winger George North after going head-to-head in the 2-1 series loss to the British and Irish Lions in the winter.

No player has lowered Folau's colours in defusing high balls but he rates North the most difficult player to combat in the air.

Even so, Welsh garryowens are likely to be few and far between at Millennium Stadium with North's fellow winger Alex Cuthbert voicing the risk it presents.

"We have to mark (Folau) closely and keep him away from the ball," Cuthbert said. "There's no end to his skills in the air.

"He's the danger man, the man in form and probably one of the best players in rugby at the moment."


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Source: AAP


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