Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'It's very hard to stop a man like Israel Folau' - Schmidt

Israel Folau wins a towering challenge

Joe Schmidt felt Ireland were “pretty close” to getting a result in the first Test with Australia, where Israel Folau stood out as a key man.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Wallabies ran out 18-9 winners in the series opener, as the returning David Pocock scored the decisive try in Brisbane to hand the visitors their first defeat in over a year.

Ireland were in the game for long periods, though, and Schmidt is confident that his side – featuring several changes from the Six Nations – can compete in what he has already identified as a “combative” tour.

“It was pretty close,” Schmidt assessed and, after picking out various flash points, added: “It’s building for a pretty combative series and a really competitive one.

“We just have to get on the right side of the scoreboard each week.”

Pressed on key areas in which the Wallabies got the better of Ireland, one name immediately came to mind for Schmidt.

“Israel Folau, in the lead up to one of their scores, was freakish in the air, getting over the top of Jacob [Stockdale]- who’s a pretty tall man himself,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We knew that was coming and tried to have a few solutions for it, but it’s very hard to stop a man like Israel Folau.

“Then you’re scrambling back and they’re such a good attacking side. They’ve got a lot of speed.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Namibia vs United Arab Emirates | Asia/Africa Rugby World Cup Play-off | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 5

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

Play Video

The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

Play Video

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions Many Springboks fans are saying same thing about the Lions