Lote Tuqiri backs Israel Folau to step up to Test Match football.

by Brendan Bradford –

Dual code legend Lote Tuqiri has added his voice to the chorus of people demanding to see Israel Folau in a Wallabies jersey this June.

Tuqiri told Rugby News he has no doubt about Folau’s ability to make the step up from Super Rugby to Test Match football against the Lions next month.

“He’s definitely got the skill and talent,” the 67-Test veteran said.

“He’s going great guns at 15 and he’d be a good winger as well, it’s just a matter of how the coaching staff wants to use him. They’re probably the two positions he’ll fit quite well, but he’ll be really good on the bench if they want to go that way because he’s very versatile in the 15, 14, 11 area. He can cover all three bases, so there’s plenty of scope for him to pull on the gold jersey.”

Israel Folau put on a magnificent Man-of-the-Match performance against the Kings last weekend.

Tuqiri holds the Waratahs record for most Super Rugby tries with 29 and says it’s great to see Folau back playing on a rectangular pitch after his stint in AFL.

“First and foremost for Izzy is to play well for the Tahs and the rest will come,” he says.

“I’ve been following his career pretty closely and it was sad to lose him to both codes playing AFL for a while. He could have stayed there and collected his pay but he wanted to get out and challenge himself and I think he’s doing really well.

“I’m probably blowing his trumpet a fair bit, but Izzy’s got his head screwed on and he’s got some good coaches and I think he’ll just go about his job, let the rest take care of itself and if the selectors aren’t blind, we should see him in a gold jersey sometime soon.”

Tuqiri began his debut season in the 15-man code at the start of a World Cup year and says Folau – who has played NRL Grand Finals, State of Origin and Test Matches for the Kangaroos – should be able to cope under the similar pressures of a Lions Tour.

“Luckily for us, we’ve had some experience on the big stage and that’s what drives me,” says the flying Fijian.

“I love the big setting and you don’t get much bigger than a World Cup or a Lions Tour, so I know he’ll perform because he’s done it before for Queensland, the Broncos, Australia and now the Waratahs. He’s already played some big games this year and he’s getting used to some big arenas.”

Folau is looking like a world beater after just ten Super Rugby games, but Tuqiri believes the experience of being in a Wallabies camp will boost his development even further.

“It probably took me six months to a year to really wrap my head around the game – especially the consistency of the rules and how the refs interpret them,” he says.

Lote Tuqiri in action for West Harbour in the Shute Shield – Photo: seiserphotography.com

“It’s the little things like physicality in the contact area when you’re isolated out wide and having to keep your feet until your teammates arrive or making a tackle then getting up straight away and cleaning out.

“Once I got into the World Cup squad though, I had a heap of experience to draw from – not to say that the Tahs didn’t have any – but I just felt a lot more comfortable being around seasoned campaigners when I eventually made the Wallabies team.”

Having won an NRL Premiership and a State of Origin title in league, Tuqiri joined West Harbour when he switched to union but doesn’t begrudge Folau’s decision to play for Sydney University.

“I just liked the way the Pirates played,” he says.

“They weren’t afraid to throw the ball around and I think that’s still quite evident now. I didn’t want to go to a biggish club because I like an underdog and I thought there was some scope in putting my name to that club.

“Izzy’s chosen Sydney Uni, which is a great club with a lot of history and some great players. Whether he plays for Uni this year is anyone’s guess, but he’ll definitely represent whatever jersey he’s wearing very well.”