Folau – ‘We’ve got to be confident’

Waratahs full-back Israel Folau has urged his side ‘not to go into their shells’ when they embark on their tour of New Zealand.

The Waratahs were the last Australian side to win against New Zealand opposition when they beat the Chiefs 45-25 in Sydney on May 27, 2016.

The ‘Tahs clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin on the weekend and the Chiefs in Hamilton thereafter in back-to-back must-win matches as they try to catch up with Australian Conference leaders the Brumbies.

Daryl Gibson’s side have not exactly been prolific on the try-scoring front this season with Folau himself having experienced a six-game try-scoring drought.

But Folau broke his drought with four tries in his last two games and his recent upturn in form has coincided with his side’s resurgence.

Gibson’s men scored eight tries in a comprehensive 50-23 victory over the Rebels on Sunday with an impressive attacking display and Folau believes they need to continue playing attacking rugby ahead of the Highlanders and Chiefs matches.

Ahead of these two difficult encounters, Folau believes it is imperative that they don’t show the Kiwi sides too much respect and are not overawed by the occasion.

“You’ve got to be confident in going over there. That’s all we’re thinking about. It’s not rocket science,” the Wallabies full-back told Sky Sports.

“Every team’s going over there to really not only get the win – that’s the motivation – but the guys have got to get the result out of their heads and just go out there and play rugby.

“That’s what we did (on Sunday) and the challenge for us is to really express ourselves off the back of that.

“The guys have got it in their armoury to play that way. The challenge is, because we play New Zealand teams, to not go into our shells.”

Folau believes it is not only the Kiwi sides who can play running rugby.

“I think it’s been a bit of a perception, the way that people look at the way New Zealand teams play,” the 28-year-old added.

“I’d definitely back not only our guys but all Australian Super Rugby teams that they’ve got the skills to play it.

“Obviously it hasn’t gone our way but it’s not going to stop us from going over and playing the way we want to play and I know we’ve got the skills to do that.”