Israel Folau can make try scoring look very, very simple and that might just be because he feels it is.
After a slow start to the year, Folau worked his way into damaging form for the Waratahs, before a double for the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon against Fiji.
A smiling Folau is an ominous vision for opponents and he’s been flashing his teeth more and more each week, a symbol of his growing form.
“I’m really a simple person so when I do those things that get me going, that gets me ticking then I go into the game feeling pretty good,” he said.
“For me just enjoying myself really brings the best out of myself.
“I simplify a lot of things and when I’m trying to do a bit too much or the things that are out of the norm for me, I tend to push things or not be myself I guess.
“I just went back to really enjoying myself, smiling and just trying to make the most of every moment that I get through training and also off the field as well with my teammates and same thing applies in my own personal life as well.”
Folau said he knew straight away that a high tackle on Fijian flanker Naulia Dawai in the 20th minute could get him in some trouble, though said it was simply a poorly-timed accident.
“I tried to pull out before it happened,” he said.
“Everything moved quite quickly and I knew straight away it was quite high.
“I didn’t mean that but it was unfortunate and I try to work on those things come next time.”
With Folau looking that dangerous, the next step is for the Wallabies to hand him more opportunities, something that coach Michael Cheika said would be a key focus in the coming weeks.
“I think even the last few games of this season for the Waratahs and into this match today, he looked very dangerous,” he said.
“We’ve probably got to get the ball to him a little bit more, let him use it a bit more but I was very happy with his performance.”
The sight of a smiling Israel Folau is something captain Michael Hooper enjys and he echoed Cheika’s mandate to hand the pill to their X-Factor players.
“It was nice seeing Izzy with ball in hand,” he said.
“I’m a bit of a fan when it comes to watching our backline play and it was unfortunate we couldn’t get them more ball in the second half.
“They were looking electric initially, particularly in that first 20-30 minutes so that’s a work on for us, get them more ball.”
The Wallabies head to Sydney on Sunday, ahead of next weekend’s clash with Scotland.
The Wallabies host Scotland in Sydney next Saturday, kicking off at 3pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
